Control of an adjustable bed through a network

ABSTRACT

An adjustable bed is controlled through a network. When controlled through a telephone network, a phone provides communication with a control box for the adjustable bed, and optionally a second system associated with the bed and controlled through the control box. When controlled through an internetwork such as the Internet, functions of the adjustable bed and optionally functions of a second system associated with the adjustable bed can be controlled. The network can be wired, wireless, near field, or wide band.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional. App. No.60/825,607 filed on Sep. 14, 2006.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed systems and methods describedherein could be used in combination with the systems and methodsdisclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/823,891 filed onAug. 29, 2006, and incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This invention relates to an adjustable bed.

2. Background

Adjustable beds may contain at least one section of which a user maycontrol the position. The user may typically adjust the bed by using acontrol to move the adjustable section in its direction of movement.Additionally, the adjustable bed may include various types of mattressesand vibration of sections. Often, users that have adjustable bedsbecause a medical issue may require certain positions to aid recovery,positioning to relieve discomfort as a result of pain, or the like.These users may, because of these issues, spend significant amount oftime in the adjustable beds, some users may be confined to bed.

Many existing adjustable beds may provide the basic requirements ofmoving bed sections to positions that are required by a user, but do notaccount for controlling other devices that may be beneficial to the userand provide for a level of independence to the user.

A typical adjustable bed may consist of a wood decking for each of thesections of the bed connected together with hinges to allow the variouspositions between the sections. There are actuators connected betweenthe bed frame and the wood decking for moving the adjustable sectionsinto user-desired positions. The adjustable bed may have a “wallhugging” feature that maintains a consistent distance between themattress and the wall as the bed is adjusted. Some adjustable beds mayuse wooden or plastic slats to support the mattress instead of a solidwood platform.

The adjustable bed may have at least one actuator to position theadjustable bed sections. In some cases there is one actuator to positionmore than one, such as positioning both the thigh and foot sections withone actuator. There may also be more than one actuator for eachadjustable section.

Hospitals have used adjustable beds for many years to providecomfortable and medical required positions.

A need exists for an adjustable bed that provides for the adjustablefunction required in an adjustable bed and provides for control ofadditional devices, a plurality of different bed section actuator typesand movable memory types that may provide independent activities to theuser of the adjustable bed.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are methods and systems for an adjustable bed facility.Aspects of this invention relate to an adjustable bed that may includeone or more articulating portions, and may include one or morecomponents, including an air inflatable mattress associated with theadjustable bed frame, a programmable logic controller, a remote memorystorage facility, a remote storage location of user preferences, a cellphone remote control, a modular control device, an air purificationfacility, a power outlet controller, a Bluetooth remote control, anultra wide band remote control, a wireless USB remote control, and thelike

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress canflex, a programmable logic controller (PLC) may be associated with theadjustable bed frame adapted to control at least one adjustable aspectof the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex, a remote memory storage facility may be adapted to be removeablyand replaceably connected to an adjustable bed frame controllerassociated with the adjustable bed frame, the remote memory may includeinformation relating to at least one operational parameter related tocontrol of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex, a remote storage location of user preferences, where the userpreferences may represent recall parameters relating to one or moreadjustable aspects of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress can flex, acell phone remote control may be adapted to control at least oneadjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex, a modular control device, where the modular control device may beadapted to control at least one aspect of the adjustable bed, and thelike.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex, an air purification facility associated with the adjustable bed,and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex, a power outlet controller may be adapted to control at least oneparameter of a power outlet associated with the adjustable bed, and thelike.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex, a Bluetooth remote control may be adapted to control at least oneadjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex; an ultra wide band (UWB) remote control adapted to control atleast one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air inflatablemattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, where the airadjustable mattress may be associated with an air pump to regulate theair pressure in the air inflatable mattress, the air inflatable mattressmay include flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress mayflex, a wireless USB remote control adapted to control at least oneadjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, a remote memory storage facility that may be adapted to beremoveably and replaceably connected to the PLC, where the remote memorymay include information relating to at least one operational parameterrelated to control of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, a remote storage location of user preferences, where the userpreferences may represent recall parameters accessible by the PLCrelating to one or more adjustable aspects of the adjustable bed, andthe like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, a cell phone remote control that may be adapted to control at leastone adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed by communicating with thePLC, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, a modular control device, where the modular control device may beadapted to control at least one aspect of the adjustable bed bycommunicating with the PLC, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, an air purification facility that may be associated with theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, a power outlet controller that may be adapted to control at leastone parameter of a power outlet associated with the adjustable bed bycommunicating with the PLC, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, a Bluetooth remote control that may be adapted to control at leastone adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed by communicating with thePLC, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, an ultra wide band (UWB) remote control that may be adapted tocontrol at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed bycommunicating with the PLC, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a programmablelogic controller (PLC) associated with the adjustable bed frame that maybe adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustablebed, a wireless USB remote control that may be adapted to control atleast one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed by communicating withthe PLC, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may include informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed. In addition, the remote memory storage facility maystore user preferences, the user preferences may represent recallparameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of the adjustablebed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may includes informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed, a cell phone remote control that may be adapted tocontrol at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and thelike.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may includes informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed, a modular control device, where the modular controldevice may be adapted to control at least one aspect of the adjustablebed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may include informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed, an air purification facility associated with theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may include informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed, a power outlet controller adapted to control at leastone parameter of a power outlet associated with the adjustable bed, andthe like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may include informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed, a Bluetooth remote control adapted to control at leastone adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may include informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed, an ultra wide band (UWB) remote control adapted tocontrol at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and thelike.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote memorystorage facility that may be adapted to be removeably and replaceablyconnected to an adjustable bed frame controller associated with theadjustable bed frame, where the remote memory may include informationrelating to at least one operational parameter related to control of theadjustable bed, a wireless USB remote control adapted to control atleast one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote storagelocation of user preferences, where the user preferences may representrecall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed, a cell phone remote control adapted to control at leastone adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote storagelocation of user preferences, where the user preferences may representrecall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed, a modular control device, where the modular controldevice may be adapted to control at least one aspect of the adjustablebed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote storagelocation of user preferences, where the user preferences may representrecall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed, an air purification facility associated with theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote storagelocation of user preferences, where the user preferences may representrecall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed, a power outlet controller adapted to control at leastone parameter of a power outlet associated with the adjustable bed, andthe like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote storagelocation of user preferences, where the user preferences may representrecall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed, a Bluetooth remote control adapted to control at leastone adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote storagelocation of user preferences, where the user preferences may representrecall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed, an ultra wide band (UWB) remote control adapted tocontrol at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and thelike.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a remote storagelocation of user preferences, where the user preferences may representrecall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of theadjustable bed, a wireless USB remote control adapted to control atleast one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a cell phone remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, a modular control device, where the modular controldevice may be adapted to control at least one aspect of the adjustablebed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a cell phone remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, an air purification facility associated with theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a cell phone remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, a power outlet controller adapted to control atleast one parameter of a power outlet associated with the adjustablebed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a cell phone remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, a Bluetooth remote control adapted to control atleast one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a cell phone remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, an ultra wide band (UWB) remote control adapted tocontrol at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and thelike.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a cell phone remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, a wireless USB remote control adapted to control atleast one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a modular controldevice, where the modular control device may be adapted to control atleast one aspect of the adjustable bed, an air purification facilityassociated with the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a modular controldevice, where the modular control device may be adapted to control atleast one aspect of the adjustable bed, a power outlet controlleradapted to control at least one parameter of a power outlet associatedwith the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a modular controldevice, where the modular control device may be adapted to control atleast one aspect of the adjustable bed, a Bluetooth remote controladapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed,and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a modular controldevice, where the modular control device may be adapted to control atleast one aspect of the adjustable bed, an ultra wide band (UWB) remotecontrol adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a modular controldevice, where the modular control device may be adapted to control atleast one aspect of the adjustable bed, a wireless USB remote controladapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed,and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air purificationfacility associated with the adjustable bed, a power outlet controlleradapted to control at least one parameter of a power outlet associatedwith the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air purificationfacility associated with the adjustable bed, a Bluetooth remote controladapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed,and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air purificationfacility associated with the adjustable bed, an ultra wide band (UWB)remote control adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an air purificationfacility associated with the adjustable bed, a wireless USB remotecontrol adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a power outletcontroller that may be adapted to control at least one parameter of apower outlet associated with the adjustable bed, a Bluetooth remotecontrol adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a power outletcontroller that may be adapted to control at least one parameter of apower outlet associated with the adjustable bed, an ultra wide band(UWB) remote control adapted to control at least one adjustable aspectof the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a power outletcontroller that may be adapted to control at least one parameter of apower outlet associated with the adjustable bed, a wireless USB remotecontrol adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of theadjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a Bluetooth remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, an ultra wide band (UWB) remote control adapted tocontrol at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and thelike.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including a Bluetooth remotecontrol that may be adapted to control at least one adjustable aspect ofthe adjustable bed, a wireless USB remote control adapted to control atleast one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed that mayinclude one or more articulating portions, including an ultra wide band(UWB) remote control that may be adapted to control at least oneadjustable aspect of the adjustable bed, a wireless USB remote controladapted to control at least one adjustable aspect of the adjustable bed,and the like.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated intheir entirety by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The systems and methods described herein may be understood by referenceto the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an adjustable bed facility andassociated components.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of two methods of maintaining user memory forstoring user preferred adjustable bed positions.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a remote control used to command theadjustable bed facility.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the shipping of a mattress retainerbracket in the upside down position.

FIG. 5A shows a top view of a vibration motor within an opening of aadjustable bed facility section lateral surface.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of a vibration motor within an opening of anadjustable bed facility lateral surface.

FIG. 6 shows a typical hospital adjustable bed.

FIG. 7 shows one use of actuators connected to the bed frame and theadjustable sections.

FIG. 8 shows more than one actuator for each adjustable bed section, inthis case there are two actuators for each adjustable section.

FIG. 9 shows an adjustable bed using slats instead of wood decking forthe foundation of the adjustable sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In the following description, terms such as ‘adjustable mattress’,‘adjustable bed’, ‘adjustable bed facility’ and the like are usedinterchangeably to refer generally to an apparatus including a sleepingor resting surface with one or more adjustable or moveable sub-surfacesthat can be positioned for user comfort and/or convenience, unless aspecific meaning is explicitly provided or otherwise clear from thecontext

As users spend more and more time in adjustable beds they may desire tohave a level of independence by controlling devices that may be in theroom from the adjustable bed. The devices and facilities that users maywish to control may include audio equipment, video equipment, lamps, airpurification facilities, power outlets, and the like. It may bedesirable for the user to control these devices and facilities from theadjustable bed without having to leave the bed or ask for aid fromsomeone else. For example, the user may be confined to the bed and maywant the simple ability to control the lights around the adjustable bed.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed may not be the only rest facility tobenefit from position and additional function control. Users may alsouse beds, adjustable beds, adjustable chairs, adjustable couches, andthe like to provide comfortable positions when the user may have limitedmobility. For example, a user that has had hip replacement surgery maynot be confined to bed but may require a chair or couch to be adjustableto provide a comfortable sitting position while providing control ofother devices within the room to limit the number of times the user mustget up and adjust the devices. In an embodiment, while recovering from asurgery, an injury, an illness, or the like, the user may use more thanone type of rest facility. The user may require confinement to anadjustable bed for a time and then, with health improvement, be able tomove to either an adjustable chair or adjustable couch.

Aspects of the invention may be described as an adjustable bed, but itmay be understood that the same aspects may be applied to other restfacilities that may include a bed, a couch, a chair, or the like. Suchrest facilities may be in a home, a car, a recreational vehicle, acruise ship, an airline, a train, or anywhere that a user required them,and they may be fixed or mobile.

One aspect of this invention may be to provide the adjustable bed withmore than one power option to move the adjustable bed sections. Theadjustable bed may use electric motors with gearboxes, pneumaticsprings, hydraulic springs, or the like to actuate the adjustable bedsections. There may be both pricing and durability reasons to have thedifferent actuation types.

Another aspect of this invention may be to provide the ability toprovide additional functionality to the adjustable bed by using modularcontrols that may be able to communicate with the user's interfacecontrol. The modular controls may be designed to control a number ofadditional devices and facilities that may include audio devices, videodevices, lamps, air purification facilities, power outlets, and thelike.

Another aspect of the adjustable bed may be to provide a supportstructure to support the bed materials (e.g. mattress), motors,actuators, hinges between bed sections, and the like. The supportstructure may be a frame structure to provide the support yet remainlightweight.

Another aspect may be the use of replaceable memory to maintain the bedmemory and software applications. The replaceable memory may allow userspecific information to be moved from one adjustable bed to anotheradjustable bed. This may be useful in care facilities where a user maymove from one bed to another bed during the stay in the care facility.If the user has saved a preferred positioning of the adjustable bed,when the user moves to another bed, the preferred positioning settingsmay be moved to the other bed with the user.

Another aspect of the adjustable bed may be to provide safety featuresthat may control the retraction of the adjustable bed sections to reducethe risk of crushing an object that may be under the adjustable bed.

Now referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of the various components ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 is shown. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility 102 may be made up of a number of devices andfacilities that may include actuators 104, springs 108, mattresses 110,a sub-frame 112, a skeleton structure 114, vibration motors 118,supports 120, safety brackets 122, an electronic facility 124, an airpurification facility 144, a remote 148, a memory facility 150, a memoryconnection 160, a network connection 162, and the like. In anembodiment, the electronic facility 124 may include a wire harness 128,a receiver 130, modular controls 132, a control box 134, power outlets138, a power connection 142, and the like. In an embodiment, the memoryfacility 150 may include a receiver learn facility 152, bed memory 154,a backup battery 158, and the like. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility 152, bed memory 154, and backup battery 158 may not be part ofthe memory facility 150, but may be combined into other facilities ordevices, be stand-alone devices, or the like.

In an embodiment, the physical aspects of the adjustable bed facility102 that provide support for the user may include the actuators 104,springs 108, mattresses 110, a sub-frame 112, a skeleton structure 114,vibration motors 118, supports 120, and safety brackets 122.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may provide the centralstructure that the other physical aspects may interact with. In anembodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may provide direct support to themattress 110, springs 108, and the like. In an embodiment, the skeletonstructure 114 may be a lightweight frame structure that may provide boththe strength and rigidity required to properly support the mattress 110and springs 108. In embodiments, the skeleton structure 114 may usematerials that include metal, plastic, wood, or the like; the materialsmay be used individually or in combination.

In an embodiment, springs 108 may be used with a mattress 110, insteadof a mattress 110, or the like. In an embodiment, the springs may be astandard bed spring system (e.g. coils within a wire framework),individual coil springs, individual foam springs, air springs, or thelike. In an embodiment, the individual springs (e.g. coil, foam, or air)may be used to provide variable firmness to provide comfort to the user.For example, the springs 108 may be less firm or firmer in a local areato provide the user with the support that may be required for a bodylocation that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. a hip, shoulder, back,neck). Springs that may have local firmnesses will be described in moredetail below.

In an embodiment, the mattress 110 may include foam, feathers, springs108, material, or the like. In an embodiment, the different materialsmay be used individually or in combination. The mattress may be intendedto provide the user with a firmness that provides for the comfortrequirements of the user.

In an embodiment, the mattress 110 may be an air mattress 110. In anembodiment, the air mattress 110 may be constructed using a singlechamber, a plurality of chambers, a plurality of individual chambers, acombination of chamber shapes, or the like. In an embodiment, the airmattress 110 may be inflated to various pressures that may provide theuser with the desired comfort level. In an embodiment, there may beseparate air mattresses 110 for each of the adjustable bed facility 102sections. For example, there may be separate air mattresses 110 for thehead, torso, and foot sections of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the inflation pressure of the individual air mattresses 110may be different from each other depending on user settings.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may eachcontain individual air mattresses 110. For example, the head, torso, andfoot sections may each have individual air mattresses that may beindividually controlled for air pressures and therefore firmness. In anembodiment, the user may be able to control the firmness of theindividual air mattresses 110 using a remote 148. In an embodiment, theremote 148 may have indicators for each of the firmness adjustable airmattresses 110. For example, the remote 148 may have keys for increasingor decreasing the pressures of the individual air mattresses 148. Usingthe remote 148, the user may be able to adjust the firmness of theadjustable bed facility sections.

In an embodiment, the air mattress 110 may use a common air supplysource facility as an air actuator 104. In an embodiment, a control box134 may control both the air mattress 110 and air actuator 104. Thecontrol box 134 may provide controlling commands to both the airmattress 110 and air actuators.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may have structural membersthat support the mattress 110 and springs 108 and may also providesupport and connections for the actuators 104, sub-frame 112, supports120, vibrator motors 118, safety bracket 122, and the like. In anembodiment, the structural members may be positioned on the peripheraledges of the mattress 110 and springs 108 to provide overall support andrigidity to the mattress 110 and springs 108 and may form the base ofthe individual adjustable bed facility 102 sections. Additionally, theremay other structural members as support, cross pieces, or the like thatmay provide additional support to the mattress 110 and springs 108 asmay be required. A person knowledgeable in the art may understand thatthe frame structure may have many different construction configurationsto provide support and rigidity to the mattress 110 and springs 108.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may form the base of theadjustable bed facility 102 sections that may be moved relative to eachother to provide the various bed positions required by the user. Theadjustable bed facility 102 may include more than one section; a sectionmay be fixed or may be adjustable. For example, the typical adjustablebed may have adjustable sections for the head, leg, and foot while thetorso section may remain fixed and horizontal. There may be differentcombinations of movable and fixed sections with one or all of thesections being movable. In an embodiment, the sections may include theskeleton structure 114, mattress 110, springs 108, and the like and mayindividually be small mattress structures of the entire adjustable bedfacility 102 mattress.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed sections may be connected togetherusing hinges or like devices that allow a freedom of motion between twoadjacent adjustable bed facility 102 sections. In an embodiment, onesection of the adjustable bed may remain fixed, such as the torsosection, and act as the foundation for the other movable sections to bepositions. In an embodiment, any or none of the sections may be a fixedfoundation section in the adjustable bed facility 102. In embodiments,there may be more than one adjustable bed facility 102 configurationdepending on the requirements of a user, cost requirements, medicalneeds, or the like. For example, there may be a configuration where onlythe head section is adjustable to provide the user with the ability tohave an elevated upper body position. This configuration may be a singlepurpose bed but may also provide the user with a less expensiveadjustable bed facility 102 that meets the user's needs. One skilled inthe art may understand that there may be many different adjustable bedfacility configurations containing fixed and moveable sections.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114, as part of each adjustablebed facility 102 section, may also provide support and connectionmembers for the components that may be used to move the variousadjustable bed facility 102 sections. There may be skeleton structure114 members that provide connection support to the actuators 104,supports 120, safety brackets 122, vibration motors 118, and the like.These support and connection members may have any shape or configurationrequired to provide the support and connections needed by the variousother components. For example, in addition to the skeleton structure 114that is used to provide support to the mattress 110 and springs 108there may be at least one cross member that may provide a connection tothe actuator 104 and safety bracket 122.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 and the sub-frame 112 mayinterface with each other; the sub-frame 112 may provide structuralsupport and a rigid foundation base to the skeleton structure 114. In anembodiment, the sub-frame 112 may be the rigid structure that is incontact to the floor and may provide a base for any fixed adjustable bedfacility 102 sections and an interface for any movable adjustable bedfacility 102 sections. In an embodiment, the sub-frame 112 legs may beconnected to the sub-frame 112 using a threaded stud into threads of thesub-frame 112. In an embodiment, to prevent the threaded stud frompulling out of the legs during tightening, the head of the threaded studmay be fixed between two or more layers of leg material. Thisconstruction may trap the threaded stud head to prevent it from movingaway from the end of the leg and may also prevent the threaded stud headfrom being pulled through the end of the leg during the tightening ofthe leg to the sub-frame. In addition, the two or more layers of legmaterial may provide for added strength to the sub-frame 112 legs toprevent distortion at the sub-frame 112 and leg interface. In an exampleof a fixed torso section, the sub-frame 112 may provide a base tosolidly connect the torso section to provide a fixed non-moving section.The other moveable sections may be moveably connected to the fixed torsosection and additionally supported by the sub-frame 112 using a moveableinterface connection.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 112 may have structural members that mayrun along the length of the adjustable bed facility 102, run along thewidth of the adjustable bed facility 102, run diagonally across theadjustable bed facility 102, or other orientation in relation to theadjustable bed facility 102 that may be required for support orconnection to components.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may be used as an RFantenna for receiving communication from the remote 148. In embodiment,the entire skeleton structure 114 may be used as an antenna; a portionof the skeleton structure 114 may be used as an antenna, or the like.

In one embodiment, the sub-frame 112 may provide solid connections forany fixed section and skeleton structure 114 by rigidly connecting theskeleton structure 114 directly to the sub-frame 112. In this manner,any fixed section and skeleton structure 114 may be rigidly connected tothe sub-frame 112, and through the sub-frame 112, rigidly connected tothe floor.

In another embodiment, the sub-frame 112 may provide an interface forthe fixed adjustable bed facility 102 section and skeleton structure 114where the fixed section may be able to move or slide in relation to thesub-frame 112. By providing a non-rigid interface connection between thesub-frame 112 and the skeleton structure 114, the fixed adjustable bedfacility 102 section may have a freedom of motion but still may besupported by the sub-frame in a solid foundation manner. For example,the fixed adjustable bed facility 102 section may have wheels that runin a track, groove, “C” channel, or the like of the sub-frame 112 andmay be able to move horizontally during the motion of one or more of themovable adjustable bed facility 102 sections. In an embodiment, thehorizontal freedom of motion may provide for a “wall hugger” featurewhere, as the head section is adjusted up or down, the fixed torsosection may move, along with the head section, horizontally forward andaway from an adjacent wall to maintain a fixed distance between the headsection and the wall, therefore “hugging” the wall. It may be understoodby one skilled in the art that the moveable interface between theskeleton structure 114 and sub-frame 112 may be any type of interfacethat may allow freedom of motion between the sub-frame 112 and skeletonstructure 114.

In an embodiment, any adjustable sections may have two connections, afirst connection may be provided by a hinge type connection and a secondconnection may be the connection with the actuator 104 and safetybracket 122 that may provide the force to rotate the adjustable bedfacility 102 section up or down. In an embodiment, the hinge typeconnection between the skeleton structure 114 of a first section and asecond section may provide the point of rotation for the section motion.In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may contain more thanone section and any or all of the sections may be connected by a hingetype connection.

In an embodiment, there may be a support gusset for connection betweenthe actuator 104 and the adjustable bed facility 102 section. Inembodiments, the gusset may be an I beam, a T beam, an L beam, a boxbeam, or any other beam design that may provide the strength to lift thecombined weight of the adjustable bed facility 102 section and the userwithout bending. In an embodiment, to resist bending forces at theconnections to the actuator 104 and the adjustable bed facility 102section, the ends of the gusset may be reinforced. In embodiments, thereinforcement may be an additional bracket added to the ends of thegusset, such as a U bracket or other bracket shape, to provide forincreased material thickness and strength of the gusset ends. Thethickness of the additional bracket may be determined by the amount offorce and torque that may need to be resisted during the adjustable bedfacility 102 section movement.

With the adjustable bed facility 102 sections interconnected using hingetype connections there may be at least one actuator 104 that may providea connection between a fixed adjustable bed facility 102 section and amoveable section. In an embodiment, the hinge connection between theadjustable bed facility 102 sections may be a pivot point bracket thatmay include additional strengthening to resist bending forces. Similarto the gusset described above, the pivot point connections may haveadditional reinforcement, such as a U bracket or other shaped bracket,to provide for increased material thickness and strength to resistbending forces. The thickness of the additional bracket may bedetermined by the amount of force and torque that may need to beresisted during the adjustable bed facility 102 section movement. In anembodiment, the actuation 104 connection may be between two of theskeleton structures 114. For example, a first end of the actuator 104may be connected to the fixed torso section of the adjustable bedfacility 102 and a second end of the actuator 104 may be connected tothe section that is to be moved (e.g. head, leg, or foot sections). Inan embodiment, the actuator 104 may use electric motors and mechanicalgears, pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic spring, airspring, hydraulic spring or the like to provide the force to extend andretract the actuator 104. The action of extending and retracting theactuator 104 may move the various movable bed sections up or down. Bythe actuator 104 pushing against the section, the section may rotateupward around the pivot point provided by the hinge type connection. Inthe same manner, by the actuator 104 pulling against the section, thesection may rotate downward around the pivot point provided by the hingetype connection. In an embodiment, there may be at least one actuator114 for every moveable adjustable bed facility 102 section.

In an embodiment, the combination of actuator 114, safety bracket 122,and supports 120 may provide a safety feature to prevent an object thatmay be under the adjustable bed facility 102 from being damaged,impinged, crushed, or the like during the decent of the adjustable bedfacility 102 section. During the downward motion of one adjustable bedfacility 102 sections, the section may come in contact with an objectthat is under the adjustable bed facility 102. If the actuator 104 isallowed to continue to pull the section in the downward direction, theobject may be crushed under the force the actuator 104 may apply. In anembodiment, the safety bracket 122 may have a slot that may provide timeto determine that there is an object under the section that is movingdownward.

In an embodiment, the slot may have a first side that is on the oppositeside of the slot from the actuator 104 and a second side that is on thesame side as the actuator 104. In an embodiment, the slot that isbetween the first side and the second side may be of any length. In anembodiment, the actuator may push against the first side to move theadjustable bed facility 102 section in an upward direction. In anembodiment, during the downward motion of the section, the actuator 104may move at the same speed as the adjustable bed facility 102 sectionand therefore the actuator connection to the safety bracket 122 mayremain within the safety bracket 122 slot without contacting either thefirst or second sides of the slot. In an embodiment, the section maymove in the downward direction under the weight of the section withoutthe actuator 104 pulling on the second side of the safety bracket 122.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 section downward speedmay be further controlled by supports 120 that may provide resistance tothe section motion to control the rate of decent. In an embodiment, thesupport 120 may be a pressurized device using pneumatic pressure,hydraulic pressure, or the like to provide a resistive force to slow thedecent of the adjustable bed facility 102 section. In an embodiment, thesupports may provide enough resistance to control the rate of decent ofthe section as the actuator 104 is retracted.

In an embodiment, as the actuator 104 retracts, the adjustable bedfacility 102 section, with the aid of the support 120, may descend atthe same rate as the as the actuator 104 is retracting. By matching therates of the actuator 104 retraction and the adjustable bed facility 102section descending, the actuator 104 connection within the safetybracket 122 slot may remain within the slot area and not contact eitherthe first or second side of the slot. In an embodiment, as the sectiondescends, if an object is encountered, the adjustable bed facility 102section may stop its decent and the actuator 104 connection will movewithin the safety bracket 122 slot without pulling the section downward.In an embodiment, the amount of time that the actuator 104 connection ismoving within the safety bracket 122 slot while the adjustable bedfacility 102 section is stopped may provide time to the user to realizethat an object has been contacted and to stop the downward motion of thesection.

In an embodiment, an additional safety feature may be the addition of ashut off sensor, shut off switch, or the like on the first side of thesafety bracket 122 slot to stop the retraction of the actuator 104 ifthe actuator 104 connection comes in contact with the first side of theslot. In this manner, if the actuator 104 connection with the safetybracket 122 slot reaches the first side of the slot, the actuator 104retraction may be stopped and the adjustable bed facility 102 sectionwill not be forcibly pulled down into the object that may be under thesection. In an embodiment, there may be an indication to the user thatthe actuator 104 connection has come in contact with the first side ofthe slot and the adjustable bed facility 102 sections downward motionhas been stopped. In an embodiment, the indication may be an audioindication, a visual indication, a motion indication (e.g. vibration),or the like to indicate to the user that the motion has been stopped andthere may be an obstruction with the adjustable bed facility 102section.

In an embodiment, there may be at least one vibration motor 118 that mayprovide vibration and massage functions to the adjustable bed facility102 sections and mattresses 110. In an embodiment, there may bevibration motors 118 associated with any of the adjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment there may be more than one vibrationmotor 118 for each adjustable bed facility 102 section that may havevibration motors 118. In an embodiment, using the remote 148, the usermay be able to control the vibration mode of the various vibrationmotors 118; the mode may include the vibration setting for a particularbed section, the vibration frequency of at least one of the vibrationmotors, stopping the vibration of at least one of the vibration motors,or the like. In an embodiment, the vibration motors 118 may be operatedindependently or in combination. In an embodiment, the user may select avibration mode on the remote 148 and the control box 134 may use asoftware application to control the various vibration motors 118 to theuser's request.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 118 may be an electric/mechanicaldevice, a pneumatic device, a hydraulic device, or the like. Themechanical device may use an electric motor to rotate an offset mass tocreate a vibration; the vibration motor may be controlled for vibrationfrequency and amplitude by the speed of rotation of the electric motor.Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, an embodiment of a vibration motor 118is shown within an opening of a adjustable bed facility 102 supportlateral surface 508. The adjustable bed facility 102 section may have alateral surface 508 and the lateral surface 508 may include an openingin which the vibration motor 118 may be located; the vibration motor 118may fit within the opening such that the vibration motor 118 may notcontact the lateral surface 508.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 118 may be secured to theadjustable bed facility 102 section using at least one bracket 504. Inan embodiment, when more than one bracket 504 is used, at least one ofthe brackets 504 may be separable and removable. In an embodiment, theat least one bracket 504 may be shaped to secure the vibration motor 118within the section opening such as a straight bracket, a U shapedbracket, an L shaped bracket, or the like; in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B thebracket 504 is shown as a straight bracket 504. In an embodiment, theremoval of one of the brackets 504 may facilitate securing the vibrationmotor 118 to the bed section, facilitating the servicing of thevibration motor 118, or the like. The bracket 504 may be positioned suchthat at least one portion of the bracket 504 is within the opening ofthe lateral surface 508 and may also be positioned such that the bracket504 may overlap the vibration motor 118 flange. The bracket 504 mayprovide support to the vibration motor 118 flange along a majority ofthe perimeter of the mattress support opening. The bracket 504 may becoupled to the mattress support 508 using a removable coupling. Removingthe bracket 504 may facilitate removing and servicing the vibrationmotor 118. The vibration motor 118 flange may extend beyond theperimeter of the opening of the mattress support 508 and the resilientmaterial 502 may provide positional support for the motor so that theflange may impart vibration to the mattress without contacting themattress support. The resilient material 502 may provide mechanicalinsulation between the flange and the perimeter of the opening in themattress support 508. The resilient material 502 disposed between theflange and the lateral support 508 surface of the bracket 504 mayfurther provide positional support for the vibration motor 118 housing.

The bracket 504 may be constructed using material such as plastic,metal, or the like, and may be constructed using the materialsindividually or in combination. In an embodiment, there may be aresilient material 502 associated with the brackets 504, the resilientmaterial may provide for dampening the vibration between the vibrationmotor 118 and the adjustable bed facility 102, may contact the vibrationmotor 118 to secure the vibration motor 118 to the bed section, mayprovide for dampening of vibration to the adjustable bed facility 102and hold the vibration motor 118 in place, or the like. The resilientmaterial 502 may include latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylenefoam, polyethylene foam, or the like and may be used individually or incombination.

In an embodiment, either of the pneumatic or hydraulic devices may actas a vibration motor 118 increasing and decreasing the pressure within acylinder, bladder, or the like at certain frequencies to provide thevibration required by the user. In an embodiment, a device to providethe pressure frequency may be part of the vibration motor 118, aseparate device from the vibration motor 118, or the like.

In an embodiment, the vibration facility 118 may be connected to theskeleton structure 114, the mattress 110, the lateral surface 508, orthe like where the vibration may be imparted into the adjustable bedfacility 102 mattress 110 as desired by the user. In an embodiment, thevibration motor 118 flange may provide surface area that may impart avibration into the mattress 110. In another embodiment, the vibrationmotor 118 may be in proximity to a vibration distribution facility (notshown) that may aid in the propagation of vibration energy to theadjustable bed facility 102 section. In an embodiment, the vibrationmotor 118 may be operatively connected to the vibration distributionfacility, may be in contact with the vibration distribution facility,may not be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, or thelike. The vibration distribution facility may be constructed usingmaterials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or the like and may beconstructed using these materials individually or in combination. In anembodiment, the vibration distribution facility may provide for a moreuniform distribution of the vibration characteristics of the vibrationmotor 118 and may have a size and shape relative to the size and shapeof the adjustable bed facility 102 section.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility102 may have an electronic facility 124 that may contain components thatprovide control of the physical aspects of the adjustable bed facility102 (e.g. actuator, vibration motors), interface with the remote 148,interface with networks, interface with bed memory 154, controlelectronic devices of the adjustable bed facility 102, and the like.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 may coordinate the electronicrequirements of the electronic facility 124. In an embodiment, thecontrol box 134 may interface with the receiver 130, remote 148, airpurification facility 144, power outlets, power connection 142, powersupply 140, modular controls 132, wire harness 128, and the like. In anembodiment, the control box 134, receiver 130, and power supply 140 maybe mounted directly to the skeleton structure 114.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 may receive its command requestfrom the user requesting adjustable bed facility 102 functions using theremote 148. In an embodiment, the remote may communicate to the receiver130 and the receiver may transmit the received user command request tothe control box 134. In an embodiment, the receiver 130 and control box134 may be individual devices or a combined device.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 and receiver 130 may have wired orwireless communication. In an embodiment, the wireless communication maybe by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, or the like. In anembodiment, the receiver 130 may receive the user commands from theremote 130 and transmit the same command to the control box 134; thereceiver may not provide any interpretation of the remote 148 commands.In an embodiment, the remote 148 and receiver 130 may be communicationmatched by the use of a code key. The code key may be any indicator thatmay be interpreted by the remote 148 and receiver 130 that commands maybe received and executed between the remote 148 and receiver 130. Inembodiments, the code key may be a number, a word, a serial number, abed identification, a remote identification, a user identification, orany other identification known to both the remote 148 and receiver 130,all an indication that communications should be received. The code keymay be transmitted as the beginning of the communication, the end of thecommunication, as part of the communication or the like.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may be used as an RFantenna for receiving communication from the remote 148 to the receiver130. In embodiment, the entire skeleton structure 114 may be used as anantenna; a portion of the skeleton structure 114 may be used as anantenna, or the like.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 may also control the functions ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 using a wireless technology in place of,or in coordination with, the wire harness 128. In an embodiment, thewireless technology may include Bluetooth, ultra-wideband (UWB),wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like. The variouscontrolled functions (e.g. actuators 104 or external devices) may beable to communicate using the wireless technology, may use anintermediate wireless receiver, or the like to communicate with thecontrol box 134.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 wireless communication may use awireless network protocol that may include peer-to-peer communication,master/slave communication, as a hub, as a server, or the like. In anembodiment, the wireless communication may be used to control more thanone adjustable bed facility. For example, the user may be able tocontrol his/her adjustable bed facility and may additionally be able tocontrol another adjustable bed that may be within the range of thecommunication method.

In an embodiment, the cellular communication may utilize a cell phone, asmart phone, or the like to provide the communication method with thecontrol box 134, modular controls 132, or the like. In an embodiment,the control box 134 may be controlled by a programmable control circuit(PLC). In an embodiment, the user may use a menu on the cell phone foradjustable bed functions that may be controlled by the cell phone. Forexample, the cell phone technology may be able to control the bedposition and vibration characteristics of the adjustable bed facility102 and therefore the cell phone menu may present the user with optionsfor controlling the bed position and vibration.

In an embodiment, if the communication between the remote 148 andreceiver 130 is wireless, the receiver learn facility 152 may be used toestablish the communication between them. In an embodiment, a learnprotocol between the remote 148 and receiver 130 may be user initiatedby pressing a button on the receiver learn facility 152, powering up thereceiver learn facility 152, bringing the receiver learn facility 152within a certain proximity of the receiver 130, indicating on the remote152 to begin the learn protocol, or the like. In an embodiment, thelearn protocol may be fully automatic, semi-automatic with userintervention, manual, or the like. In an embodiment, a user may select achannel, frequency, or the like during learn protocol or after the learnprotocol. The changing of the channel, frequency, or the like mayprevent two different remote 148 and receiver 130 combinations frominterfering with other wireless communication devices. In an embodiment,each time the learn protocol is executed, a new unique communicationlink may be established; there may be a plurality of uniquecommunication links available for each remote 148 and receiver 130combination.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 may be a user controlled device toprovide control commands to the control box 134 to command certainfunctions of the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, thecertain functions may be adjustable bed facility section movement (e.g.up or down), vibration control, modular controlled 132 devices, or thelike. In an embodiment, the remote 148 may communicate with the controlbox using wired communication, wireless communication, or the like. Inan embodiment, the wireless communication may use a radio frequency(RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, or the like. If the remote communicatesusing a wireless technology, the communication may be with the receiver130 and the receiver 130 may pass the command request to the control box134.

In an embodiment, the inputs of the remote control 148 may be organizedinto groups of common function control; the remote control 148 groupsmay be arranged in a circular orientation. As shown in FIG. 3, theremote control 148 may include more than one group 302 and may includeat least one positioning control group and one vibration control group.In one embodiment, the remote control 148 groups 302 may be organizedinto a circular pattern where the circular pattern may provide forinputs that control increasing a function, decreasing a function,storing a function, global command functions 304, or the like. Forexample, a circular group 302 may be divided up into a number ofsegments to control certain functions of the adjustable bed facility102. FIG. 3 shows four sections for each of the circular groups 302, butit should be understood that there may be any number of sections toprovide the required adjustable bed facility 102 control.

In one example, one of the circular groups 302 may be used to controlmovements of the adjustable bed facility 102 sections. The movementcircular group 302 may have inputs for moving the head section up/down,moving the foot section up/down, inputs for storing a user preferredpositions to the PLC, or the like. Additionally, there may be a globalcommand input 304 that may provide for commanding more than oneadjustable bed facility 102 function using a single input such ascommanding the adjustable bed facility 102 to go to a flat position. Forexample, the user may be able to select the flat button and theadjustable bed facility 102 may move all of the adjustable sections tothe flat position.

A vibration circular group 302 may have inputs for controlling thevibration of the head section up/down, controlling the foot sectionvibration up/down, inputs for storing a user preferred vibrationcharacteristics to the PLC, or the like. Additionally, there may be aglobal command input 304 that may provide for commanding more than oneadjustable bed facility 102 vibration characteristic using a singleinput such as commanding the adjustable bed facility 102 to stop allvibration. For example, the user may be able to select the stopvibration input and the adjustable bed facility 102 may stop all of theadjustable sections from vibrating. In an embodiment, the user mayselect the all stop global 304 input to stop the adjustable bed facility102 vibration before selecting a different vibration characteristic forone of the adjustable bed facility 102 sections.

In an embodiment, the user may be able to determine the controlfunctions that the global command 304 may control. For example, the usermay be able to input a command sequence to indicate the global commandthat should be applied to the global command 304 input. In anembodiment, the global command may be stored in the adjustable bedfacility 102 memory 154 for later recall. In an embodiment, after theglobal command 304 has been stored, the user may select the globalcommand 304 input for the command sequence execution.

The function of the remote 148 has been described with controllingadjustable bed facility 102 movement and vibration, but it should beunderstood that the remote may have control inputs for any function ofthe adjustable bed facility 102. Additionally, the control inputs havebeen described as having a circular pattern, but it should be understoodthat other embodiments of the control input organization may be used forcontrolling the function of the adjustable bed facility 102.

The remote 148 may include a timer that has a user defined setting thatmay allow the user to determine when the remote 148 communicates acontrol command to the adjustable bed facility. For example, the usermay be able to set a timer on the remote 148 to indicate a time when theadjustable bed facility 102 is to go to a flat position. The user mayuse this function in the evening where the user may want to read for ahalf hour and then go to sleep, the user could set the timer for a halfhour and the adjustable bed facility 102 may go to the flat positionafter the half hour. In another embodiment, the timer may be a clockwhere the user may be able to set a time when the adjustable bedfacility 102 is to complete a certain function. In an embodiment, theuser may be able to indicate the command that the remote 148 is totransmit to the adjustable bed facility 102 when the timer or clocksetting indication has been reached.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 may be able to directly control thesettings of external power outlets associated with the adjustable bedfacility 148. The power outlet may be an RF controlled power outlet andthe remote 148 may be able to transmit an RF command directly to the RFpower outlet. In an embodiment, the power outlet may include settings ofat least on, off, a percentage of power, or the like. The power outletcontrol power setting may be controlled by a hardware setting, asoftware setting, or the like. The power outlet may be an AC poweredpower outlet or a DC powered power outlet.

The remote 148 may include a timer that has a user defined setting thatmay allow the user to determine when the remote 148 communicates acontrol command to the RF power outlet. For example, the user may beable to set a timer on the remote 148 to indicate a time when the RFpower outlet is to turn on or off. For example, the user may use thisfunction in the evening where the user may want to read for a half hourand then go to sleep, the user could set the timer for a half hour toturn off a power outlet that controls a light fixture, after the halfhour the remote 148 may command the RF power outlet to turn off andtherefore turn the light fixture off. In another embodiment, the timermay be a clock where the user may be able to set a time when the RFpower outlet may turn on or off. In an embodiment, the user may be ableto indicate the command, such as on or off, that the remote 148 is totransmit to the RF power outlet when the timer or clock settingindication has been reached.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate adjustable bed facility 102functions using the remote 148 by pressing a button, touching a screen,entering a code, speaking a command, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontrol box 134, using the receiver 130, may receive and interpret thecommand provided by the remote 148. The remote may control devices withcommands that may include on, off, high power, medium power, low power,volume, play, fast forward, rewind, skip, modular device to control, orthe like. For example, the remote 148 may transmit a command to move thehead section up and the control box 134 may command the actuator 104 toextend a certain amount in response to the command. In another example,the remote 148 may command that a modular control 132 connected lamp beturned off. The control box 134 may command the control box 132 to turnoff the lamp.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the control box 124 may usethe bed memory 154 to store adjustable bed facility 102 settings,application software, demonstration software, and the like. In anembodiment, the user may determine that certain adjustable bed locationsare preferred and should be saved for future recall. The control box 134may save the user preferred settings in the bed memory 154 in order torecall the preferred settings at the use request. In an embodiment, thecontrol box 134 may also store non-user requested information to the bedmemory 154 as needed for the control of the various adjustable bedfacility 102 components. For example, when the user requests anadjustable bed facility 102 section to move, the control box 134 maystore the last position into bed memory 154 to be used as a lastposition recall, an undo command, the last settings for all theadjustable bed facility 102 component at shutdown, or the like.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 application software may be storedin the bed memory 154. In an embodiment, the software may be downloadedto the control box 134, may be run from the bed memory 154, or the like.In an embodiment, the application software may be an interrupt typeapplication, a polling type application, or the like for sensing whatcommand the user may have indicated on the remote 148. For example, inan interrupt application, each command requested by the remote 148 maysend an interrupt code to the control box 134. The control box 134 maythen request from the application software the command sequence that isassociated with the received interrupt. In another example, the pollingapplication may continually poll the remote 148 for requested usercommands and when a user command is detected, then request the commandsequences for the requested user command.

In another embodiment, the control box 134 may use programmable logiccircuits (PLC) to store application programs for control of theadjustable bed facility components. In an embodiment, the PLC may bepart of the control box 134, part of a bed memory 154, in a separatecontrol box, or the like. In an embodiment, the PLC may include amicrocomputer, a microprocessor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,TO connection to components, or the like. The PLC may provide aninterface to permit software application updates to the PLC memory; PLCmemory may be over written. In an embodiment, this may provide a methodand system for providing software application upgrades to the adjustablebed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the PLC may have a connection to an external interfacethat may allow updates to be downloaded to the PLC. The connection maybe a serial connection, a USB connection, a USB device, a parallelconnection, a wireless connection, a bed memory 154, or the like. Thecapability to download information to the PLC may allow for softwareupdates to the PLC, may allow for remote 148 interface updates to thePLC, may allow memory updates to the PLC, or the like. For example, ifthe user was supplied with a new or upgraded remote 148, the user mayalso be supplied with updated software for the PLC. The user may be ableto connect the device containing the new software to the externalinterface and download the new software to the PLC.

In an embodiment, the PLC may have a connection interface with themodular controls 132 to provide the user with control over other devicesthat may be connected to the adjustable bed facility 102. The PLC mayreceive commands from the remote 148 for the modular controls 132 andmay pass the command through to the modular control 132, may interpretthe remote 148 command and command the modular control 132, or the like.

In an embodiment, the PLC may interface with a modular control 132 thatis associated with external power outlets. In this embodiment, the usermay be able to control the setting of the external power outlet byselecting a setting on the remote 148. The setting on the remote 148 maybe received by the receiver 130 and PLC within the control box 134 toset the power outlet setting. For example, the user may be able to turnon the external power outlet by selecting an external outlet on input onthe remote. This may result in the external outlet power being turned onto power an attached device such as a lamp.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may be part of the PLC, externalfrom the PLC, a combination of internal and external memory from thePLC, or the like.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may be separate from the controlbox 134 and the PLC. In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may beremovable memory, the bed memory 154 may be moved from a firstadjustable bed facility 102 to a second bed facility 102 to move usersettings from the first adjustable bed facility 102 to the second bedfacility 102. For example, a user in a care facility may be moved from afirst adjustable bed facility 102 to a second adjustable bed facility102 but the user may have already determined and saved at least onepreferred setting to the bed memory 154. The bed memory may be removedfrom the first adjustable bed facility 102 and moved to the secondadjustable bed facility 102 with the user and therefore the user maykeep the same preferred adjustable bed 102 settings.

In this manner the bed memory 154 may be considered portable memory. Inan embodiment, the removable bed memory 154 may be flash memory,programmable logic circuit (PLC), secure digital (SD) memory, mini SDmemory, Compact Flash type I memory, Compact Flash type II memory,Memory Stick, Multimedia Card, xD Picture card, Smartmedia, eXtremeDigital, Microdrive, or the like.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may be part of the remote 148. Aspart of the communication between the remote 148, receiver 130, andcontrol box 134 memory information may be exchanged between the remote148 and control box 134. For example, the user may indicate that acertain adjustable bed facility 102 position should be maintained forfuture recall. The control box 134 may receive the save position requestfrom the remote 148 and transmit the position information back to theremote 148 for storage within the bed storage 154. In a like manner,when the user requests the recall of a previously saved position, thecontrol box 134 may request the position information from the remote 148bed memory 154.

In an embodiment, if the remote 148 is wireless, the remote 148 maycontain both a transmitter and receiver, or a transceiver, to transmitand receive information with the control box 134. In an embodiment, theremote 148 may communicate with the receiver 130 using a connection key.The connection key may be a code that indicates that a certain remote isassociated with a certain adjustable bed facility 102. When the remote148 transmits information to the receiver, the remote may first send akey code to indicate that the remote 148 is associated with theadjustable bed facility 102. If the key code matches the key that thereceiver 130 is listening for, the receiver 130 may receive the commandfrom the remote.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may maintain the positioninformation for the user preferred positions of the adjustable bedfacility 102 sections. In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may beimplemented as a programmable logic circuit (PLC), a logic circuit (LC),or the like. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of two methods of maintainingthe user preferred positions in memory. In an embodiment, a first methodmay be to have discreet memory table 202 for each preferred user bedposition 204. There may be the same number of preferred bed positions204 and memory locations 208 as indicators on the user remote 148. Forexample, the remote may have two buttons for the user to set thepreferred positions that may be used for later recall; the two buttonsmay be associated with two discreet memory locations 208. In anembodiment, each time the user indicates a new preferred position for abutton on the remote 148 the memory location 208 may be over writtenwith the new position information. In an embodiment, this method mayonly allow the user to set one user preferred position for every buttonon the remote 148.

In an embodiment, a second method of memory storage for user preferredadjustable bed positions may be a table 222 that may have a plurality ofpossible positions 212 the user may select. In an embodiment, as shown,the possible positions 212 may be P1 through Pn. In an embodiment, thepossible positions 212 may be a plurality of values that may define therange of available positions for the adjustable bed facility 12; theplurality of values may be a set of values that define the range ofavailable positions for one or more adjustable bed facility 102functions. For example, the available positions 212 may be a set ofincrements of section positions that may include a set of actuator 104positions, a set of actuator 104 activation times, bed section rotationangles, or the like. The set of increments may be determined from a basevalue for the section. For example, the increments may start at zerofrom the flat position for the adjustable bed facility 102 section. Inan embodiment, the user may be able to select the increment set to beused as possible positions 212 for the section. For example, the usermay be able to select the type of graduations by selecting from a set ofpossible graduation methods such as distance, angle of rotation,actuation time, or the like.

In FIG. 2, the table 222 is shown with an increment column 210 and anindication column 220. In an embodiment, the table 222 may have aplurality of columns 220 to store position information for any of theadjustable aspects of the adjustable bed facility 102. For example,there may be an indication column 220 for the head section angle, thefoot angle section, the vibration characteristics for the variousvibration motors of the adjustable bed facility 102, or the like. Inanother embodiment, the adjustable aspects of the adjustable bedfacility 102 may be represented by a plurality of individual tables 210for storing indication information for each of the individual adjustableattributes for the adjustable bed facility 102. The individual tables210 may be substantially the same as the table 222 shown in FIG. 2 wherethere may be one column 210 for increments 212 and another column 220for indication information (214 and 218). For example, there may beindividual tables 210 for the head section angle, foot section angle,vibration motor characteristics, or the like. In an embodiment, the PLCmay be able to access the adjustable bed facility 102 settings byaccessing large tables 210 that contain many columns, small tables 210that contain a few columns, a combination of large and small tables 210,or the like.

In an embodiment, the PLC may store the tables 210 within the PLC memoryfor accessing the settings of the adjustable bed facility 102. Inanother embodiment, the table 222 may be stored in memory outside of thePLC and the PLC may access the table 222 through an interfaceconnection. The table 222 increment column 210 may represent a pluralityof available positions associated with adjustable bed facilityfunctions. In an embodiment, the increment values may be a measurementscale (e.g. inches or angle), may be the number of rotations of theactuator, the vibration frequency of the vibration motor, or otherincrement scale. In response to a user input, the indication column 220may be marked with the indication 214 to represent the position intendedby the user. When the user makes a request to save a position, the PLCmay search the increment column 210 to determine which of the pluralityof increments 212 represents the current position value of theadjustable bed facility 102 section. Once the current position valueincrement 212 within the table 222 is determined, an indication 214 maybe stored to the indication column 220 associated to the currentposition value increment 212. In an embodiment, the indication 214 maybe any character that may represent a position being selected such as aletter, a number, special character, or the like. In embodiments, theindication column 220 may include all indications, no indications, oneindication, more than one indication, or the like to indicate the user'sintended position. The storing of the indication association of thecurrent position value with the user selected position may includeadding a store indication to the table 222 entry representing thecurrent position value, removing the current position value from thetable 222 of values, removing a plurality of the table 222 values wherethe removal does not include removing the current position value, addinga store indication to every table 222 entry except a table 222 entryrepresenting the current position value, or the like.

In an embodiment, when a user indicates on the remote 148 that aposition is to be saved in the table 222, the PLC may select theincrement value 212 from within the increment column 210 set of valuesthat represents the current position of the adjustable bed facility 102.The PLC may store an indication 214 associated with the increment value212; the stored indication associated with the current position valuemay be a recall value that may be recalled at a later time to repositionthe adjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, in response to the user requesting to return to arecall value, the PLC may scan the table 222 indication column 220 foran indication 214 that may represent the user's recall value. Uponlocating the recall value indication 214, the PLC may command theadjustable bed function to the recall value indicated 214 location,position, vibration, or the like.

In an embodiment, the indication column 220 of the table 222 mayinitially contain indications 214 in all to the available discretelocations 212. As a user indicates that current position value is theposition to be stored within the table 222, the indication 214 for thecurrent position value may be removed from the table 222. This mayresult in one increment location 212 being empty of an indication. Inthis case, when a user requests to return to the recall position, thePLC may scan the table 222 indication column 220 for the empty incrementlocation 212. Once the empty increment location is found, the PLC maycommand the adjustable bed function to the recall position, vibration,or other adjustable bed facility 102 function. In an embodiment, if theuser stores a different current position value, the empty discretelocation 212 may be filled with an indication and the new indicationassociated to the current position value may have the indication 214removed. In an embodiment, the user may be able to clear the storedposition by indicating a clear command and all of the incrementlocations 212 may be filled with indications 214.

In an embodiment, the available increment locations 212 in theindication column 220 of the table 222 may initially contain noindications 214 so that the indication column 220 may be empty. As auser indicates that a current position value is the position to bestored within the table 222, the indication 214 associated to thecurrent position value may be added to the table 222. This may result inone increment location 212 having an indication. In this case, when auser requests to return to recall value position, the PLC may scan thetable 222 indication column 220 for the increment location 212containing the indication 214 associated with the recall value. Once theincrement location is found, the PLC may command the adjustable bedfunction to the recall value position, position, vibration, or otheradjustable bed facility 102 function. In an embodiment, if the userstores a different position, the increment location 212 indication 214may be removed and the new current position value may have theindication 214 added. In an embodiment, the user may be able to clearthe stored position by indicating a clear command and all of thediscrete locations 212 may have the indication 214 removed.

In an embodiment, when a user indicates a current position value is tobe indicated in the table 222, the indication may represent the user'spreferred adjustable bed facility 102 position. In an embodiment, theuser's indicated current position value may be rounded to the closesttable 222 increment location 214. For example, if the user selects acurrent position value that is between two increment positions on thetable 222, an algorithm may be used to determine which of the incrementpositions are to be indicated in the indication column 220.

Embodiments of the present invention involve setting a recall bedposition in response to a user making a storage selection. The user'sstorage selection may send a command to the adjustable bed facility's102 controller (e.g. the PLC) indicating that the user would like thepresent position of the adjustable bed facility 102 stored such that theuser can later have the adjustable bed facility 102 return to the storedposition. The user may use a user interface (e.g. the remote control148) and make such a storage selection once the adjustable bed facility102 is in a desired position. As described herein elsewhere, a pluralityof position values that define a range of available positions for theadjustable bed facility 102 may be stored in memory accessible by theadjustable bed facility's 102 controller. The available positions may bestored in a table 222 or other structure for example. Once the userinitiates such a storage request, the controller may receive the requestto save the current adjustable bed facility 102 position as a userselected position. The controller may then make a determination of whichof the plurality of position values represent the current position ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 to provide a current position value. Indetermining which of the plurality of position values represents thecurrent position, the controller may use an algorithm to decide which ofthe plurality of values best represents the current adjustable bedfacility 102 position. For example, the actual adjustable bed facility102 position may match one of the values and the algorithm may thenselect the matching value as the one that best represents the currentposition. In another situation, the actual adjustable bed facility 102position may not match any of the plurality of values. In this case analgorithm may be used to determine which value best represents theposition of the adjustable bed facility 102. The algorithm may run anaveraging calculation, interpolation calculation or other form ofprediction algorithm to select between two positions representingpositions on either side of the actual adjustable bed facility 102position, for example. Once the controller has made the determination asto which value represents the current adjustable bed facility 102position, the controller may then store an association of the currentposition value with the user-selected position (e.g. as describedelsewhere herein).

The embodiment of unmarking 218 preferred positions will be used in thefollowing illustrations, but it should be understood that marking acurrent position value may also be used as a method of indicating apreferred position 212.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate the current position value byindicating a set position on the remote 148; this indication may resultin all of the possible increment locations 212 having an indication 214except for the one increment the user has selected which may benon-marked 218. For example, if the user selected the P3 position 212 asa preferred position, all of the positions 212 may receive a mark 214except the one position P3 which may receive a non-mark 218.

In an embodiment, the positioning recall position logic of theadjustable bed may seek possible positions 212 that do not have a mark218 when determining what user positions to select.

In an embodiment, the user may be able to set more than one incrementposition 212 in the table 222 for a single button on the remote 148. Forexample, the user may be able to press a button on the remote 148 in acertain way to set a non-mark 218 at different preferred positions 212.In another example, when the user presses a button on the remote 148,the current position value may be unmarked 218 as a preferred positionand an algorithm may be executed to unmark 218 other preferred positions212 at certain increments from the user selected position. In oneexample of the algorithm, every 3^(rd) position may be selected to beunmarked 218 as a preferred position 212. The additional non-markings218 may be by actuation time, section rotation angle, or the like. Aperson skilled in the art may understand that there may be any number ofdifferent methods of unmarking more than one position 212 using a singlebutton on the remote 148.

In an embodiment, with user preferred positions 212 unmarked 218 on thetable 222, the user may indicate on the remote 148 to recall the userpreferred position 212. In an embodiment, there may be an algorithm tosearch the table 222 for an unmarked 218 user preferred position 212 toposition the bed to the recall value. Once the preferred position 212 isdetermined, the command logic may command the actuator or actuators tomove the adjustable bed sections into the preferred position 212 recallvalue. In an embodiment, there may be more than one preferred position212 unmarked 218 on the table 222. In this case, the algorithm may seekthe first unmarked 218 position 212 and move the adjustable bed sectionto that position. In an embodiment, if this is not the user desiredposition, the user may indicate again on the remote to recall apreferred position and the algorithm may seek the next unmarked 218position 212. A person skilled in the art may understand that there maybe a number of different methods of recalling a plurality of marked 214or unmarked 218 positions 212 from the table 222.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the removable bed memory154 may be used to upgrade the adjustable bed facility 102 memory andsoftware. For example, if new control box 134 software was developed toprovide better control over one of the adjustable bed facility 102components, the software may be saved to a new replaceable memory thatmay replace the existing replaceable memory. In this manner, thesoftware of the adjustable bed facility 102 could be upgraded just byproviding the user with a new replaceable memory.

In an embodiment, the removable memory may be used to provide a salesenterprise with adjustable bed facility 102 demonstration software wherethe enterprise may be able to indicate at least one of a plurality ofdemonstrations for a user. For example, the user may be interested inhow the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may be adjusted and theenterprise may select a demonstration to shows all the section motionavailable. In an embodiment, before an adjustable bed facility 102 isshipped to a user, the enterprise may remove the demonstration removablememory and replace it with a standard adjustable bed facility 102 bedmemory 154.

In an embodiment, the memory connection 160 may be any connection typethat provides a connection between the bed memory 154, control box 134,and the like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 160 may be a wiredor wireless connection. The wired connection may be a USB connection, aserial connection, parallel connection, or the like. The wirelessconnection may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, orthe like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 160 may be in alocation that is easy for the user to access the bed memory 154, may beattached to the memory facility 150, may be attached to the control box134, or the like. In an embodiment, the easy access memory connectionmay be on the side of the adjustable bed facility 102, on a rail of theadjustable bed facility 102, under the adjustable bed facility 102, orthe like.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 may also access a network using anetwork connection 162. In an embodiment, the network may be a LAN, WAN,Internet, intranet, peer-to-peer, or other network with computer devicesthat the control box 134 may communicate with. In an embodiment, thenetwork connection 162 may be a wired or wireless connection.

In an embodiment, using the network connection 162, the control box 134may be able to communicate with the network to periodically check forapplication software updates. In an embodiment, if an applicationsoftware update is located, the control box 134 may send the user anemail, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, cell phonemessage, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like to indicatethat software updates are available. The user, using the device thatreceived the notice of software update, may send a reply to the controlbox that the software upgrade should be downloaded, should not bedownloaded, or the like.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed facility 102 enterprise, anadjustable bed facility 102 manufacturer, an adjustable bed facility 102service enterprise, or the like may send the control box 134 softwareupdates using the network connection 162. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility 102 enterprise, an adjustable bed facility 102manufacturer, an adjustable bed facility 102 service enterprise, or thelike may notify the user of available software upgrades for theadjustable bed facility 102 by email, instant messenger message, phonemessage, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax, pagermessage, or the like. The user, using the device that received thenotice of software upgrade, may send a reply to the adjustable bedfacility 102 enterprise, the adjustable bed facility 102 manufacturer,the adjustable bed facility 102 service enterprise, or the like that thesoftware upgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or thelike.

In an embodiment, the user may access the network connection 162 withthe user's own computer device.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 and control box 134 may be able tocontrol other devices that may be connected to modular controls 132. Inan embodiment, the modular controls 132 may be similar to the controlbox by interpreting commands to control a device, but may be unique tothe device that is connected to it. In an embodiment, the modularcontrols 132 may control audio equipment, video equipment, lamps, airpurification facilities, outlets, and the like. For example, the modularcontrol 132 may be connected to audio equipment and may contain thecommand sequences to control the audio equipment based on commands thatmay be received from the remote 148. It may be obvious to someone in theart that any of the devices that are connected to modular controls 132may be controlled in the same manner.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate a function to be accessed for acertain device connected to a modular control 132, the control box 134may receive the request from the remote 148 and pass the command ontothe appropriate modular control 132. In an embodiment, the remote 148may have modular control 132 device functions that the user may selectto control a modular control 132 device. For example, the remote 148 mayhave functions such as play, fast-forward, rewind, skip, pause, and thelike for an audio device connected to the modular control 132.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 132 may be connected to thecontrol box 134 and power supply 140 using a wire harness 128. The wireharness 128 may contain power and data connections for all of thepossible connection locations for the modular controls 132. For example,if there are six locations on the adjustable bed facility 102 forattaching modular controls 132, the wire harness 128 may have six setsof power and data connections available.

In another embodiment, the wire harness may provide only power to themodular controls 132 and the communication between the modular controls132 and control box 134 may be wireless that may include radio frequency(RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, and the like.

In an embodiment, using the remote 148, the control box 134 may be ableto control power outlets 138 to which external devices may be connected;the power outlets may be associated with the adjustable bed facility102, remote from the adjustable bed facility 102, or the like. In anembodiment, the control box may communicate with the power outlet usingwired or wireless communications. In this embodiment, the power outlets138 may receive power directly from a household outlet, fuse box,circuit box, or the like but the function of the power outlets 138 (e.g.on or off) may be controlled by the control box 134. For example, anexternal lamp may be connected to the power outlets 138, there may be aselectable control on the remote 148 for the user to turn the poweroutlet 138 on and off and therefore to turn the lamp on and off. In anembodiment, the power outlets 138 may include a control circuit that isable to control if the power outlet 138 receives power from thehousehold current. In an embodiment, there may be more than one poweroutlet controlled by the control box 134 and there may be a selectionfor each of the power outlets 138 on the remote 148.

In an embodiment, the power outlets 138 may be directly controlled bythe remote control 148 using radio frequency (RF). The remote controland power outlets may be RF capable for communication within theadjustable bed facility 102. The remote control 148 may be able todirectly control the power outlets 138 to turn the power outlets on andoff using RF without interfacing with the control box 134.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 may be able to control an externalair purification 144 facility; the air purification 144 facility may bedirectly controlled by the control box using a wired or wirelessconnection. In an embodiment, the wireless connection may be radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, or the like. In an embodiment,the air purification facility 144 may be any type of device or facilitythat may be capable of improving that air environment in the area of theadjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, the air purificationfacility 144 may be an absorbent type (e.g. carbon), electro-static,HEPA filter, or the like. In an embodiment, absorbent materials may beused in a filter, in the adjustable bed facility 102, in the mattress110, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like fromthe air environment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In anembodiment, electro-static or iconic air filters may use negative ionsto attract dust, contaminants, and the like from the air. In anembodiment, electro-static materials (e.g. tourmaline) may be used in afilter, in the adjustable bed facility 102, in the mattress 110, or thelike to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the airenvironment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In anembodiment, HEPA filters are composed of a mat of randomly arrangedfibers that are designed to trap at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold,bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers (μm)at 85 liters per minute (Lpm). The HEPA filter may be used in a device,facility, or the like for filtering the air in the area of theadjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 144 may be part of theadjustable bed facility 102, a freestanding device or facility, or thelike. In an embodiment, if the air purification facility 144 is part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 the air purification facility 144 may beattached to any part of the adjustable bed facility 102 such as themattress 110, sub-frame 112, skeleton structure 114, or the like. In anembodiment, the air purification facility 144 that is attached to theadjustable bed facility 102 may be controlled direct control of the airpurification facility 144 device, control using the remote 148, or thelike.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 144 may be a freestanding device that may be plugged into a adjustable bed facility 102power outlet 138 and therefore may be controlled with the remote 148controlling the on/off condition of the power outlet 138.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 144 may be afreestanding device that may be connected to an adjustable bed facility102 modular control 128. The modular control may provide power (AC orDC), control communication, and the like to the air purificationfacility 114. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the airpurification facility 144 using the remote 148 to control the modularcontrols 132.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed facility 102 may be any bed that iscapable of adjusting at least one aspect of the bed such as a headsection, a foot section, a leg section, a torso section, or the like. Inan embodiment, the adjustment may include moving the sections up, down,higher, lower, longer, shorter, and the like. In an embodiment, thesection adjustments may also include vibration, massage, and the like.In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may include componentssuch as actuators 104, springs 108, a mattress 110, a sub-frame 112, askeleton structure 114, vibration motors 118, supports 120, safetybrackets 122, wire harness 128, receiver 130 modular controls 132,control box 134, power outlets 138, power supply 140, power connection142, air purification facility 144, remote control 148, receiver learnfacility 152, bed memory 154, backup battery 158, memory connection 160,network connection 162, and the like.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may beadjustable by a user, a care giver, a medical person, or the like toprovide a comfortable position, a medical required position, a workingposition, a resting position, or the like. For example, a medicalposition may be required to have a user's legs elevated to aid in thereduction of swelling and therefore the leg or foot sections may beelevated. In another example, a user with a back condition may need torest his or her back and may still wish to work, the user may be able toposition the adjustable bed facility 102 to provide a comfortable backposition that allows the user to work on papers or a computer device.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may be used in a home,a hospital, a long-term care facility, or the like. The adjustable bedfacility 102 may be used by users that may have limited mobility, arerestricted to bed rest, require a non-flat sleeping position, and thelike.

In an embodiment, actuators 104 may be used to move the adjustable bedfacility 102 sections. The actuator 104 may typically be a cylinderdevice where a first component, under a force, is extendable from secondcomponent that may result in the action of moving an object. In anembodiment, there may be more than one actuator 104 per adjustable bedfacility 102. There may be an actuator 104 to move any of the adjustablebed facility 102 sections or other aspects of the adjustable bedfacility 102. For example, there may be individual actuators for thehead section, leg section, foot section, torso section, or the like. Inan embodiment, a single actuator may be used to move more than oneadjustable bed facility 102 section. For example, one actuator may beused to move the leg and foot sections; the leg and foot sections may beconnected by a mechanical structure that may control the orientation ofthe leg and foot sections during movement. In an embodiment, theactuators 104 may be connected between the adjustable bed facility 102section to be moved and the sub-frame 112, skeleton structure 114, orthe like.

In an embodiment, the actuator 104 may have different driving means toextend and retract the actuator 104 such as an electric motor, pneumaticpressure, hydraulic pressure, or the like.

In an embodiment, the electric motor driven actuator 104 may use a DC orAC motor and gear assembly to extend and retract the actuator 104.

In an embodiment, the pneumatic pressure actuator 104 may use an airsource to extend and retract the actuator 104. The air source may bepart of the pneumatic actuator 104, may be a separate device, or thelike. In an embodiment, the separate air source device may be part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 or may be external to the adjustable bedfacility 102.

In an embodiment, the hydraulic pressure actuator 104 may use a fluidsource to extend and retract the actuator 104. The fluid source may bepart of the hydraulic actuator 104, may be a separate device, or thelike. In an embodiment, the separate fluid source device may be part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 or may be external to the adjustable bedfacility 102.

In an embodiment, springs 108 may be used with a mattress 110, insteadof a mattress 110, or the like. In an embodiment, the springs may be astandard bed spring system (e.g. coils within a wire framework),individual coil springs, individual foam springs, air springs, or thelike. In an embodiment, the individual springs (e.g. coil, foam, or air)may be used to provide variable firmness to provide comfort to the user.For example, the springs 108 may be less firm or firmer in a local areato provide the user with the support that may be required for a bodylocation that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. a hip, shoulder, back,neck).

In an embodiment, the mattress 110 may include foam, feathers, springs108, material, or the like. In an embodiment the different materials maybe used individually or in combination. The mattress may be intended toprovide the user with a firmness that provides for the comfortrequirements of the user.

In an embodiment, the mattress 110 may be an air mattress. In anembodiment, the air mattress may be constructed using a single chamber,a plurality of chambers, a plurality of individual chambers, acombination of chamber shapes, or the like. In an embodiment, the airmattress 110 may be inflated to various pressures that may provide theuser with the desired comfort level. In an embodiment, there may beseparate air mattresses 110 for each of the adjustable bed facility 102sections. For example, there may be separate air mattresses 110 for thehead, torso, and foot sections of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the inflation pressure of the individual air mattresses 110may be different from each other depending on user settings.

In another embodiment of an air mattress 110 with individual chambers,local firmness control may provide local firmness comfort to a user toprovide comfort. For example, a user may be recovering from surgery andmay require the air mattress 110 to be less firm in a certain area, theuser may be able to indicate the area to be less firm and the individualchamber pressures may be adjusted to provide the less firm area.Additionally, while a local area may be provided with a less firmpressures, the remainder of the mattress 110 may have a consistentfirmness pressure.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 112 may be a structural support frame incontact with the floor and may include the floor legs, connections forthe actuators 104, connections for the supports 120, support for theskeleton structure 114, and the like. In an embodiment, the sub-frame112 materials may include wood, metal, plastic, and the like. In anembodiment, the sub-frame 112 may provide a support interface to theskeleton structure 114 and may support the freedom of motion for theskeleton structure 114. For example, the sub-frame 112 may include aninterface such as a track, surface, groove, slot, or the like in whichthe skeleton structure 114 may interface and use as a guide whileproviding motion support for the various adjustable bed facility 102sections. In an embodiment, the sub-frame 112 interface may be a “C”channel in which the skeleton structure 114 may have interfacing wheelsto move within the “C” channel during the adjustable bed facility 102section movements.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 112 may be substantially the same shapeas the adjustable bed facility 102 and may have structural members alongthe length and width of the sub-frame 112. In an embodiment, thestructural members may be assembled in any configuration that meets therequirements of supporting the adjustable bed facility 102 and thevarious devices such as the actuators 104, supports 120, skeletonstructure 114, and the like.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may be a mechanicalstructure that may provide support to the springs 108, provide supportto the mattress 110, interface with the sub-frame 112, provide aconnection to the actuators 104, provide a connection to the supports120, support the vibration motors 118, and the like. In an embodiment,there may be more than one skeleton structure 114 within the adjustablebed facility 102; there may be a skeleton structure 114 for eachadjustable bed facility 102 section. For example, there may be askeleton structure 114 for the head section, foot section, leg section,torso section, and the like.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may be a frame typestructure to support at least one mattress 110, provide connectivitybetween more than one mattress 110, contain a hinge mechanism to allowthe motion of a first mattress 110 in relation to a second mattress 110,and the like. The frame structure may be substantially the same shape asthe mattress 110 that the skeleton structure 114 is supporting and mayhave individual structure members at the peripheral edges of themattress 110 in addition to other individual structural members that maybe required for support of mechanical connections, support of themattress 110, or the like. In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114may include materials such as metal, wood, plastic, and the like. Theskeleton structure 114 materials may be used individually or incombination.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may have an interfacefacility such as wheels, slides, skids, rails, pivot points, and thelike that may interface with the sub-frame 112 support interface. Theskeleton structure 114 interface facility may provide for smoothinteraction with the sub-frame 112 support interface when the skeletonstructure 114 is in motion as a result of actuation from the actuators104.

In an embodiment, a vibration facility 118 may provide vibration inputto the adjustable bed facility 102 sections such as the head section,foot section, leg section, torso section, and the like; there may bevibration facilities in any or all of the adjustable bed facility 102sections. In an embodiment, the vibration facilities 118 may be operatedindependently, at the same time, at alternate times, in coordination, orthe like. For example, the vibration facilities in the head section andfoot section may be operated at the same time to provide a full bodymassage or the vibration frequencies may operate at alternating times toprovide a wave effect of the vibration moving from the head to foot ofthe adjustable bed facility 102. In another example, the differentvibration facilities 118 may be used in concert where the vibrationfacilities 118 may be vibrated in sequences to create a massagingeffect. It may be understood by one knowledgeable in the art thatdifferent effects may be created with more than one vibration facility118.

In an embodiment, using the remote 148, the user may be able to controlthe vibration mode of the various vibration motors 118; the mode mayinclude the vibration setting for a particular bed section, thevibration frequency of at least one of the vibration motors 118,stopping the vibration of at least one of the vibration motors, or thelike. The remote 148 may provide vibration motor 118 control informationto the adjustable bed facility 102 control box 134 for control of thevibration characteristics of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the remote 148 may include user inputs that include at leastone of head vibration increase, head vibration decrease, foot vibrationincrease, foot vibration decrease, user preferred vibration settings,vibration stop, or the like.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 118 may be capable of a pluralityof vibration frequencies. For example, the vibration motor 118 may beable to operate on frequencies such as high, medium, low, settings 1-10,or the like. In an embodiment, a first vibration frequency may bestopped before a second vibration frequency is started. In embodiments,the stopping between the first vibration and the second vibration may beautomatic and controlled by the logic within the control box 134, may bemanually indicated by the user using the remote 148, or the like. As anexample of manual input, the vibration motor 118 may be operating on amedium frequency and the user may provide a stop vibration input on theremote 148 to stop the first vibration motor 118 vibration beforepressing the low vibration frequency input.

Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, an embodiment of a vibration motor 118is shown within an opening of a adjustable bed facility 102 supportlateral surface 508. The adjustable bed facility 102 section may have alateral surface 508 and the lateral surface 508 may include an openingin which the vibration motor 118 may be located; the vibration motor 118may fit within the opening such that the vibration motor 118 may notcontact the lateral surface 508. In an embodiment, the vibration motor118 may be secured to the adjustable bed facility 102 section using atleast one bracket 504. In an embodiment, when more than one bracket 504is used, at least one of the brackets 504 may be separable andremovable. In an embodiment, the at least one bracket 504 may be shapedto secure the vibration motor 118 within the section opening such as astraight bracket, a U shaped bracket, an L shaped bracket, or the like;in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B the bracket 504 is shown as a straight bracket504. In an embodiment, the removal of one of the brackets 504 mayfacilitate securing the vibration motor 118 to the bed section,facilitating the servicing of the vibration motor 118, or the like. Thebracket 504 may be positioned such that at least one portion of thebracket 504 is within the opening of the lateral surface 508 and mayalso be positioned such that the bracket 504 may overlap the vibrationmotor 118 flange. The vibration motor 118 flange may extend beyond theperimeter of the opening of the mattress support and the resilientmaterial 502 may provide positional support for the vibration motor 118so that the flange imparts vibration to the mattress 110 withoutcontacting the mattress support. The at least one bracket 504 may becoupled to the mattress support 508 using a removable coupling. Removingthe at least one bracket may facilitate removing and servicing themotor. The resilient material 502 may provide mechanical insulationbetween the flange and the perimeter of the opening in the mattresssupport 508. The resilient material 502 disposed between the flange andthe lateral support 508 surface of the at least one bracket 504 mayfurther provide positional support for the vibration motor 118 housing.The bracket 504 may be constructed using material such as plastic, metalor the like and may be constructed using the materials individually orin combination. In an embodiment, there may be a resilient material 502associated with the brackets 504, the resilient material may provide fordampening the vibration between the vibration motor 118 and theadjustable bed facility 102, may contact the vibration motor 118 tosecure the vibration motor 118 to the bed section, may provide fordampening of vibration to the adjustable bed facility 102 and hold thevibration motor 118 in place, or the like. The resilient material 502may include latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam,polyethylene foam, or the like and may be used individually or incombination.

In an embodiment, the vibration facility 118 may be connected to theskeleton structure 114, the mattress 110, the lateral surface 508, orthe like where the vibration may be imparted into the adjustable bedfacility 102 mattress 110 as desired by the user. In an embodiment, thevibration motor 118 flange may provide surface area that may impart avibration into the mattress 110. In an embodiment, the vibration motor118 may be secured to the adjustable bed facility 102 section using twoseparable brackets; at least one of the two separable brackets may beremovable. In an embodiment, the removal of one of the brackets mayfacilitate securing the vibration motor 118 to the bed section,facilitating the servicing of the vibration motor 118, or the like. Thebracket may be constructed using a material such as plastic, metal, orthe like and may be constructed using the materials individually or incombination. In an embodiment, there may be a resilient materialattached to the brackets, the resilient material may provide for adampening the vibration between the vibration motor 118 and theadjustable bed facility 102, may contact the vibration motor 118 tosecure the vibration motor 118 to the bed section, or the like. Forexample, the brackets may be attached to the adjustable bed facility 102section with the resilient material making contact with the vibrationmotor 118 that may be in an opening of the section. The resilientmaterial may provide the force required to hold the vibration motor inplace within the section opening and may provide dampening of thevibration to the adjustable bed facility. The resilient material mayinclude latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylenefoam, or the like and may be used individually or in combination.

In an embodiment, the electric motor vibration facility 118 may use DCor AC current to power the motor. In an embodiment, to provide thevibration, the motor may rotate an offset mass on the motor shaft thatmay cause the vibration facility 118, mattress 110, skeleton structure114, or the like to vibrate. The user may feel the vibration through themattress 110, springs 108, or the like.

In an embodiment, an air bladder or air spring may be used to provide avibration to the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, the airbladder or air spring air pressure may be varied at a frequency tocreate a vibration within the vibration facility 118, mattress 110,skeleton structure 114, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be anair supply unit that supplies the frequency varied air pressure to theair bladder or air spring.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 118 may be in proximity to avibration distribution facility that may aid in the propagation ofvibration energy to the adjustable bed facility 102 section. In anembodiment, the vibration motor 118 may be operatively connected to thevibration distribution facility, may be in contact with the vibrationdistribution facility, may not be in contact with the vibrationdistribution facility, or the like. In an embodiment, the vibrationdistribution facility may provide for a more uniform distribution of thevibration characteristics of the vibration motor 118 and may have a sizeand shape relative to the size and shape of the adjustable bed facility102 section. The vibration distribution facility may be constructedusing materials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or the like and may beconstructed using these materials individually or in combination. In anembodiment, the user may be able to control the speed, amplitude, pulse,and the like of the vibration facility 118 using an interface such asthe remote 148.

In an embodiment, the vibrator facility 118 may be mounted to themattress 110 using the vibration distribution facility, resilientmaterial 502, strong fabric, or the like. In an embodiment, eachadjustable bed facility 102 section that includes a vibrator facility118 may have an opening in the section to accept the vibrator facility118. In an embodiment, over the opening in the section, a layer ofresilient material 502, strong fabric, or the like may be placed. Thelayer of resilient material 502, strong fabric, or the like may beplaced between the vibrator facility 118 and the mattress 110. In anembodiment, the vibrator facility 118 may impart vibrations to amattress 110 through the resilient material 502 disposed over an openingin an adjustable bed facility 102 section. In an embodiment, a fabriccover may be disposed over the resilient material 502 and/or anadjustable bed facility 102 section, between the vibrator facility 118and the mattress 110. In embodiments, a plurality of fabric covers maybe disposed over the resilient material 502 and/or an adjustable bedfacility 102 section to provide stabilization. In an embodiment, thevibrator facility 118 may impart vibrations to a mattress 110 through aresilient material 502 and a fabric or plurality of fabrics covering theresilient material 502 and/or adjustable bed facility 102 section.

In an embodiment, the resilient material 502 may be foam, cottonmatting, or the like. In an embodiment, the vibration distributionfacility may be plastic, wood, rubber, metal, or the like and may be anysize and/or shape that supports the required vibration characteristics.The vibration distribution facility may have a plurality of barbs orother anchoring devices that may be pushed into the resilient material,strong fabric, or the like to secure the vibration distribution facilityin place on top of the resilient material, strong fabric, or the like.In an embodiment, the barbs or other anchoring devices may have a numberof gripping edges, points, or the like to provide a connection with theresilient material and strong fabric.

In an embodiment, the vibrator facility 118 may be mounted to thevibration distribution facility through the opening of the adjustablebed facility 102 section lateral surface 508. In an embodiment, thevibration motor 118 may be operatively connected to the vibrationdistribution facility, may be in contact with the vibration distributionfacility, may not be in contact with the vibration distributionfacility, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be a layer ofresilient material, strong fabric, or the like between the vibratormotor 118 and the vibration distribution facility.

In an embodiment, any space between the vibration facility 118 and theopening of the adjustable bed facility 102 section may be filled with avibration absorbent material such as foam, cotton matting, rubber, orthe like. The absorbent material may provide a layer of vibrationinsulation between the vibration facility 118 and the adjustable bedfacility 102 section opening.

In an embodiment, the combination of the vibration distribution facilityand vibration facility 118 may be a vibration facility assembly. In anembodiment, the vibration facility 118 assembly may be attached to theadjustable bed facility 118 sections with the plurality of barbs oranchoring devices.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the supports 120 may behydraulic pressurized cylinders that may provide additional control ofthe decent of the adjustable bed facility 102 sections. The pressurizedsupports 120 may be designed to support a certain amount of weight thatmay include the skeleton structure 114, mattress 110, springs 108, user,and the like. In an embodiment, the pressurized cylinders may be similarto the type of supports that are used in automobile trunks to supportthe trunk open while the user access the trunk area.

In an embodiment, the supports 120 may provide a safety feature whencombined with the safety bracket 112. The safety bracket 122 may preventthe actuators from forcibly pulling the adjustable bed facility 102sections down; the safety bracket is described in more detail below. Thesupports 120 may be positioned on the sections that are actuated and mayprovide a controlled speed at which the sections will return to ahorizontal position. In an embodiment, the support 120 may providesupport of a weight that is less than the weight of the section,therefore the section will provide enough force (e.g. weight) on thesupport 120 to compress the cylinder and move the section down. In anembodiment, there may be more than one support 120 for each actuatedadjustable bed facility 102 section. In an embodiment, the support 120may be connected between the skeleton structure 114 and the sub-frame112.

In an embodiment, the safety bracket 122 may be a slotted bracket thatprovides the connection between the actuators 104 and the skeletonstructure 114 for the purpose of moving the adjustable bed facility 102sections. A side of the slot that is farthest from the actuator 104 maybe the slot first side and may be the side that the actuator 104 pusheson to move the adjustable bed 102 section up. A side of the slot that isnearest to the actuator 104 may be the slot second side and may be theside the actuator 104 pulls on to move the adjustable bed 102 sectiondown. In an embodiment, when the actuator 104 is expanding and moving anadjustable bed facility 102 section it may apply a force on the firstside of the slot and move the section in an upward direction. When theactuator 104 is retracted to move the section in a downward direction,the actuator 104 connection may move into the middle area (e.g. not incontact with the first or second side of the slot) of the safety bracket122 slot. As the actuator 104 connection moves into the slot middlearea, the adjustable bed facility 102 section may move in a downwardmotion under the force of section weight. In an embodiment, the actuator104 may retract at the same speed as the safety bracket 122 moves,therefore the actuator 104 connection may stay in the safety bracket 122slot middle area and not make contact with the second side of the safetybracket 122 slot. In this manner, the actuator 104 connection may notcontact the second side of the slot and therefore the adjustable bed 102section may not move in the downward direction by the force of theactuator 104.

In an embodiment, if the actuator 104 connection comes in contact withthe second side of the safety bracket 122 slot, there may be a shutoffswitch, shutoff indicator, or the like that may stop the retraction ofthe actuator 104.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may include anelectronic facility 124. In an embodiment, the electronic facility 124may include a wire harness 128, a receiver 130, power outlets 138,modular controls 132, a power supply 140, a power connection 142, andthe like. In an embodiment, different components of the electronicfacility 124 may be individual components, combined components,individual and combined components, or the like. For example, thereceiver 130, control box 134, and power supplied may be individualcomponents, may be combined into a single component, may be acombination of individual and combined components, or the like. In anembodiment, the various electronic facility 124 components may bemounted on the sub-frame 112, skeleton structure 114, or the like asrequired for the particular component.

In an embodiment, the wire harness 128 may provide power and dataconnections to a plurality of modular controls 132. Depending on thepower supply 140, the wire harness may provide either DC or AC power tothe modular controls 132. In an embodiment, the data connections may beserial, parallel, or the like. In an embodiment, the wire harness mayhave the same number of power/data connections as there are possiblemodular controls 132. In an embodiment, the wire harness may be a unitof power/data connections that may be bound together into a single wireharness. In another embodiment, the wire harness may be a group ofindividual power/data connections. In an embodiment, for each individualwire in the bundle, group, or the like, a first end may have connectionsfor the control box 134 and power supply 140. A second end of the wireharness 128 may be a power and data connection for each individualmodular control 132.

In an embodiment, a receiver 130 may receive user commands from a remotecontrol 148. In an embodiment, the receiver 130 may have a wireless orwired connection to the remote 148. In an embodiment, the wirelessremote 148 to receiver 130 communication may be a radio frequency (RF)communication, infrared (IR) communication, Bluetooth communication, orthe like. In an embodiment, the receiver 130 may receive thecommunication command from the remote 148 and transmit the remote 148command to the control box 134. The communication with the control box134 may be wireless or wired. In an embodiment, the wirelesscommunication between the receiver 130 and the control box 134 may be aradio frequency (RF) communication, infrared (IR) communication,Bluetooth communication, or the like. In an embodiment, the receiver 130may be combined with the control box 134 into a single component. In anembodiment, the skeleton structure 114 may be used as an RF antenna forreceiving communication from the remote 148 to the receiver 130. Inembodiment, the entire skeleton structure 114 may be used as an antenna,a portion of the skeleton structure 114 may be used as an antenna, orthe like.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 132 may provide additionalfunctionality to the adjustable bed facility 102 that may include astereo, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, power outlets138, an air purification facility 144, or the like. The additionalfunctionality that the modular controls 132 provide may be consideredoptional equipment that may be offered with the adjustable bed facility102. For example, a user may be able to purchase an adjustable bedfacility 102 without any modular controls 132 and may add modularcontrols as he or she desires. In another example, the user may purchasethe adjustable bed facility 102 with modular controls already installed.In an embodiment, the modular controls 132 may have predeterminedmounting locations on the sub-frame 112, skeleton structure 114, or thelike.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 132 may directly control devices,indirectly control devices, or the like. For example, the modularcontrol 132 may directly control a lamp that is connected to the modularcontrol 132 but may indirectly control a device or facility that isplugged into an outlet 138 controlled by the modular control 132. Thedevices and facilities may include a stereo, CD player, DVD player, airpurification facilities, or the like may receive power from poweroutlets 138 that are controlled by the modular control 132. In thisexample, the user control of the power outlet 138 to turn the device onor off but the user may not be able to control the individual device(e.g. the volume of stereo). In an embodiment, the user may control theadditional function devices by using the remote 148 that may have aninterface for each of the modular controls 132. For example, there maybe an interface on the remote 148 for turning on a lamp, turning off alamp, dimming a lamp, and the like. In a similar manner, the user may beable to control if a power outlet 138 provided by a modular control 132is on or off.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 132 may be connected to thecontrol box 134, power supply 140, or the like; the connection may bethe wire harness 128. In an embodiment, the modular controls 132 maycommunicate with the control box 134 by a wireless means that mayinclude radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, or otherwireless communication type.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 may interpret commands receivedfrom the receiver 130 into commands for the various adjustable bedfacility 102 components such as the actuators 104, the vibrationfacility 118, the modular controls 132, power outlets 138, and the like.In an embodiment, the control box 134 may contain a microprocessor,microcontroller, or the like to run a software application to interpretthe commands received from the remote 148 through the receiver 130. Inan embodiment, the software application may be interrupt based, pollingbased, or other application method for determining when a user hasselected a command on the remote 148. In an embodiment, the softwareapplication may be stored in the control box 134, stored in bed memory154, or the like and may be stored as software, as firmware, ashardware, or the like.

In an embodiment, the control box 134 may receive information from thereceiver 130 by wired communication, wireless communication, or thelike. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be by radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, or other wirelesscommunication type.

In an embodiment, after the control box 134 has interpreted the receiveduser commands, the control box 134 may transmit the interpreted commandsto the various controllers for the adjustable bed facility 102components such as the actuators 104, vibrator facility 118, modularcontrols 132, power outlets 138, and the like. The control box 134 maytransmit information that may be further interpreted by the componentsinto commands for the individual components. For example, the controlbox 134 may receive a command to move the head section up. The controlbox 134 may interpret the remote 148 command into a command the actuatormay understand and may transmit the command to extend the head sectionactuator to move the head section up.

In an embodiment, the power supply 140 may receive power from a standardwall outlet, fuse box, circuit box, or the like and may provide power toall the powered components of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the power supply 140 may provide DC power or AC power to thecomponents. In an embodiment, if the power supply 140 provides DC power,the power supply 140 may convert the incoming AC power into DC power forthe adjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the power outlets 138 may provide standard householdAC current using a standard outlet for use by external devices using astandard plug. In an embodiment, the power outlets 138 may receive powerdirectly from a standard wall outlet, a fuse box, a circuit box, or thelike, but the control box 134 may control whether the power outlet 138on or off. In an embodiment, the power outlet 138 may have a controlcircuit that may determine if the power outlet 138 is active (on) orinactive (off). In an embodiment, the command to indicate if the poweroutlet 138 is active or inactive may be received from the control box134. In an embodiment, the control box 134 may receive commands for thepower outlet 138 control from the remote 148.

In an embodiment, the power connection 142 may receive standard powerfor the adjustable bed facility 102 from a standard outlet, fuse box,circuit box, or the like. In an embodiment, the power connection 142 mayprovide standard AC power to the power outlets 138, the power supply140, or the like.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 144 may be any type ofdevice or facility that may be capable of improving that air environmentin the area of the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, theair purification facility 144 may be an absorbent type (e.g. carbon),electro-static, HEPA filter, or the like. In an embodiment, absorbentmaterials may be used in a filter, in the adjustable bed facility 102,in the mattress 110, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants,or the like from the air environment around the bed, within the bed, orthe like. In an embodiment, electro-static or iconic air filters may usenegative ions to attract dust, contaminants, and the like from the air.In an embodiment, electro-static materials (e.g. tourmaline) may be usedin a filter, in the adjustable bed facility 102, in the mattress 110, orthe like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the airenvironment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In anembodiment, HEPA filters are composed of a mat of randomly arrangedfibers that are designed to trap at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold,bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers (μm)at 85 liters per minute (Lpm). The HEPA filter may be used in a device,facility, or the like for filtering the air in the area of theadjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 144 may be part of theadjustable bed facility 102, a freestanding device or facility, or thelike. In an embodiment, if the air purification facility 144 is part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 the air purification facility 144 may beattached to any part of the adjustable bed facility 102 such as themattress 110, sub-frame 112, skeleton structure 114, or the like. In anembodiment, the air purification facility 144 that is attached to theadjustable bed facility 102 may be controlled direct control of the airpurification facility 144, control using the remote 148, or the like.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 144 may be a freestanding device that may be plugged into an adjustable bed facility 102power outlet 138 and therefore may be controlled with the remote 148controlling the on/off condition of the power outlet 138.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 144 may be afreestanding device that may be connected to an adjustable bed facility102 modular control 128. The modular control may provide power (AC orDC), control communication, and the like to the air purificationfacility 114. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the airpurification facility 144 using the remote 148 to control the modularcontrols 132.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 may be a user controlled device toprovide control commands to the control box 134 to command certainfunctions of the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, thecertain functions may be adjustable bed facility section movement (e.g.up or down), vibration control, modular controlled 132 devices, or thelike. In an embodiment, the remote 148 may communicate with the controlbox using wired communication, wireless communication, or the like. Inan embodiment, the wireless communication may be using a radio frequency(RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, or the like. If the remote communicatesusing a wireless technology, the communication may be with the receiver130 and the receiver 130 may pass the command request to the control box134.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate the certain adjustable bedfacility 102 function using the remote 148 by pressing a button,touching a screen, entering a code, speaking a command, or the like. Inan embodiment, the control box 134, using the receiver 130, may receiveand interpret the command provided by the remote 148. In an embodiment,the certain functions available on the remote may instruct the controlbox 134 to directly control a device (e.g. actuator 104), control amodular control 132 connected device, or the like. The remote maycontrol devices with commands that may include on, off, high power,medium power, low power, volume, play, fast forward, rewind, skip,modular device to control, or the like. For example, the remote 148 maytransmit a command to move the head section up and the control box 134may command the actuator 104 to extend a certain amount in response tothe command. In another example, the remote 148 may command that amodular control 132 connected lamp be turned off. The control box 134may command the control box 132 to turn off the lamp.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 may save adjustable bed facility 102user preferred settings to a plurality of memory locations that may beused to maintain the user determined bed position, an adjustable bedfacility 102 historical setting, or the like. For example, the user mayhave a certain preferred adjustable bed facility 102 position that maybe stored in at least one of the memory locations that the user may beable to later recall to move the adjustable bed facility into the userpreferred position. By indicating the recall of the at least one memorylocations, the adjustable bed facility 102 control box 134 may commandthe various components to move to the stored memory location position toachieve the recalled position. In an embodiment, for a remote 148 thatmay contain buttons, the user may press a single button, a combinationof buttons, or the like to recall the memory position desired.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 may have buttons, an LCD screen, aplasma screen or the like to allow the user to indicate the desiredcommand. In an embodiment, the user may press a button to indicate acommand to the control box 134. In an embodiment, the LCD or plasmascreens may be touch screen sensitive. In an embodiment, the remote 148screen may present the available controls to the user and the user maytouch the screen to indicate the command desired. For example, theremote 148 screen may only present controls that are available in theadjustable bed facility 102; therefore if a modular control 132 is notavailable, the remote 148 may not display a selection for that modularcontrol 132. In an embodiment, the remote 148 screen may present contentsensitive selections to the user. For example, if the user selected tocontrol a CD player, the user may be presented with CD player controlsthat may include play, fast forward, rewind, skip, stop, repeat, or thelike.

In an embodiment, the remote 148 may provide feedback to the user toindicate the success of the certain command. In an embodiment, thefeedback may be an audio feedback, a visual feedback, a forced feedback,or the like. In an embodiment, the feedback types may be usedindividually or in combination. In an embodiment, the audio feedback maybe a sound that indicates that the command was successful, failed, is inprogress, in conflict with a command in progress, failed for safetyreasons, or the like. In an embodiment, the visual feedback may be anindication of the remote 148 screen that indicates that the command wassuccessful, failed, is in progress, in conflict with a command inprogress, failed for safety reasons, or the like. In an embodiment, theforced feedback may be a vibration that indicates that the command wassuccessful, failed, is in progress, in conflict with a command inprogress, failed for safety reasons, or the like.

In an embodiment, a memory facility 150 may contain components that areintended to maintain certain memory locations for the control box toaccess, receiver to access, and the like. In an embodiment, the memoryfacility 150 may include a receiver learn facility 152, a bed memory154, a backup battery 158, and the like. In an embodiment, the receiverlearn facility 152, bed memory 154, and backup battery 158 may be in asingle memory facility 150 or may be in more than one memory facilities150. In an embodiment, the memory facility 152 may be part of theadjustable bed facility 102, part of the electronic facility 124, aseparate facility, or the like. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility 152, bed memory 154, and backup battery 158 may not be part ofthe memory facility 150, but may be combined into other facilities ordevices, be stand-alone devices, or the like.

In an embodiment, the receiver learn facility 152 may act to establishthe communication link between the remote 148 and the receiver 130 wherethe communication between the remote 148 and receiver 130 is a wirelessconnection. In an embodiment, the communication link between the remote148 and the receiver 130 may need to be a unique connection to assurethat the remote 148 communicates with only one receiver 130 within oneadjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility 152 may be used to provide a unique communication between anyremote 148 and any adjustable bed facility 102. For example, a remote148 may be used to communicate with a first adjustable bed facility 102and may be used to establish communication between the same remote and asecond adjustable bed facility 102. The remote 148 may only be able tocommunicate with one adjustable bed facility 102 at a time.

In an embodiment, a learn protocol between the remote 148 and receiver130 may be user initiated by pressing a button on the receiver learnfacility 152, powering up the receiver learn facility 152, bringing thereceiver learn facility 152 within a certain proximity of the receiver130, indicating on the remote 148 to begin the learn protocol, or thelike. In an embodiment, the learn protocol may be fully automatic,semi-automatic with user intervention, manual, or the like. In anembodiment, a user may select a channel, frequency, or the like duringlearn protocol or after the learn protocol. The changing of the channel,frequency, or the like may prevent two different remote 148 and receiver130 combinations from interfering with other wireless communicationdevices. In an embodiment, each time the learn protocol is executed, anew unique communication link may be established; there may be aplurality of unique communication links available for each remote 148and receiver 130 combination.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may be the memory location wherethe control box 134 stores user desired preset information, software forinterpreting remote 148 commands, demonstration software, and the like.In an embodiment, the bed memory 154 may be removable memory. Forexample, the bed memory 154 may be moved from a first adjustable bedfacility 102 to a second bed facility 102 to move user settings from thefirst adjustable bed facility 102 to the second bed facility 102. Inthis manner the bed memory 154 may be considered portable memory. In anembodiment, the removable bed memory 154 may be flash memory,programmable logic circuit (PLC) memory, secure digital (SD) memory,mini SD memory, Compact Flash type I memory, Compact Flash type IImemory, Memory Stick, Multimedia Card, xD Picture card, Smartmedia,eXtreme Digital, Microdrive, or the like.

In an embodiment, the removable bed memory 154 may be used to upgradethe adjustable bed facility 102 memory and software. For example, if newcontrol box 134 software was developed to provide better control overone of the adjustable bed facility 102 components, the software may besaved to a new replaceable memory that may be used in the place of theexisting replaceable memory. In this manner, the software of theadjustable bed facility 102 could be upgraded just by providing the userwith a new replaceable memory.

In an embodiment, the removable memory may be used to provide a salesenterprise with adjustable bed facility 102 demonstration software wherethe enterprise may be able to indicate at least one of a plurality ofdemonstrations for a user. For example, the user may be interested inhow the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may be adjusted and theenterprise may select a demonstration to shows all the section motionavailable. In an embodiment, before an adjustable bed facility 102 isshipped to a user, the enterprise may remove the demonstration removablememory and replace it with a standard adjustable bed facility 102 bedmemory 154.

In an embodiment, the backup battery 158 may be used to provide power tovolatile memory, provide power to the receiver learn facility 152,provide power to the programmable logic circuit (PLC) memory, or thelike.

In an embodiment, the memory connection 160 may be any connection typethat provides a connection between the bed memory 154, control box 134,and the like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 160 may be a wiredor wireless connection. The wired connection may be a USB connection, aserial connection, parallel connection, or the like. The wirelessconnection may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), Bluetooth, orthe like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 160 may be in alocation that is easy for the user to access the bed memory 154, may beattached to the memory facility 150, may be attached to the control box134, or the like. In an embodiment, the easy access memory connectionmay be on the side of the adjustable bed facility 102, on a rail of theadjustable bed facility 102, under the adjustable bed facility 102, orthe like.

In an embodiment, the network connection 162 may be used to connect thecontrol box 134 to a network connection. In an embodiment, the networkconnection may be a LAN, a WAN, an Internet, an intranet, peer-to-peernetwork, or the like. Using the network connection 162, the control box134 may be able to communicate with computer devices on the network. Inan embodiment, the network connection 162 may be a wired or wirelessconnection.

In an embodiment, using the network connection 162, the control box 134may be able to communicate with the network to periodically check forsoftware updates. In an embodiment, if a software update is located, thecontrol box 134 may send the user an email, instant messenger message,phone message, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax,pager message, or the like to indicate that software updates areavailable. The user, using the device that received the notice ofsoftware, may send a reply to the control box that the software upgradeshould be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed facility 102 enterprise, anadjustable bed facility 102 manufacturer, an adjustable bed facility 102service enterprise, or the like may send the control box 134 softwareupdates using the network connection 162. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility 102 enterprise, an adjustable bed facility 102manufacturer, an adjustable bed facility 102 service enterprise, or thelike may notify the user of available software upgrades for theadjustable bed facility 102 by email, instant messenger message, phonemessage, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax, pagermessage, or the like. The user, using the device that received thenotice of software, may send a reply to the adjustable bed facility 102enterprise, the adjustable bed facility 102 manufacturer, the adjustablebed facility 102 service enterprise, or the like that the softwareupgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of shipping and assembling amattress retaining bracket 402 is shown. The mattress retaining bracket402 may be used to hold the mattress 110 (not shown) in place on theadjustable bed facility 102 as the adjustable bed facility 102 sectionsare adjusted. For example, as the head section is adjusted up, themattress 110 may tend to slide down towards the foot of the bed, themattress retaining bracket 402 may stop the mattress from sliding andmay maintain the mattress 110 in the proper position on the adjustablebed facility 102. In an embodiment, there may be a mattress retaining402 bracket at the head section and/or the foot section of theadjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the mattress retaining bracket 402 may be made ofmaterials that include metal, plastic, rubber, wood, or the like. In anembodiment, the materials may be used individually or in combination.

In an embodiment, as shown in VIEW A, when the adjustable bed facility102 is shipped to the user, the mattress retaining bracket 402 may bemounted upside down at the final location of the mattress retainingbracket 402. This mounting method may provide benefits that may includemattress retaining bracket 402 breakage prevention, mattress retainingbracket 402 bending prevention, clear user understanding of the finalmattress retaining bracket 402 location, prevention of the mattressretaining bracket 402 becoming lost, and the like. In an embodiment, asshown in VIEW B, once the user receives the adjustable bed facility 102with the upside down mounted mattress retaining bracket 402, the usermay rotate the mattress retaining bracket 402 into the upright positionand re-secure it to the adjustable bed facility 102.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example of an adjustable bed 600 (without themattress) is shown with the head 602 and foot 604 sections raised to anelevated position. This adjustable bed 600 shows that sections, in thiscase the foot 604 section, may be divided into more than one section toprovide contouring of bed sections.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example of actuators 104 connected to the bedframe 702 and the adjustable sections 704 is shown. In this case twoactuators 104 are used, one for each adjustable bed section 704.

Referring to FIG. 8, an example of more than one actuator 104 for eachadjustable bed section 802 is shown, in this case there are twoactuators 104 for each adjustable section 802. In embodiments, more thanone actuator 104 per section 802 may be used if the bed sections 802 areheavy, smaller actuators 104 are used, if the bed is a wide bed (e.g.king bed), or the like.

Referring to FIG. 9, an example of an adjustable bed 900 using slats 902instead of wood decking for the foundation of the adjustable sections isshown. In embodiments, the slats 902 may be wood, plastic, rubber,cloth, elastic material, or the like. Using this design, the adjustablebed 900 may be provided with curved contours has shown in the headsection 904. In an embodiment, the curved sections may be constructed ofa number of small connected individual sections.

The elements depicted in flow charts and block diagrams throughout thefigures imply logical boundaries between the elements. However,according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depictedelements and the functions thereof may be implemented as parts of amonolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or asmodules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, orany combination of these, and all such implementations are within thescope of the present disclosure. Thus, while the foregoing drawings anddescription set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems, noparticular arrangement of software for implementing these functionalaspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context.

Similarly, it will be appreciated that the various steps identified anddescribed above may be varied, and that the order of steps may beadapted to particular applications of the techniques disclosed herein.All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within thescope of this disclosure. As such, the depiction and/or description ofan order for various steps should not be understood to require aparticular order of execution for those steps, unless required by aparticular application, or explicitly stated or otherwise clear from thecontext.

The methods or processes described above, and steps thereof, may berealized in hardware, software, or any combination of these suitable fora particular application. The hardware may include a general-purposecomputer and/or dedicated computing device. The processes may berealized in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or otherprogrammable device, along with internal and/or external memory. Theprocesses may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specificintegrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic,or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured toprocess electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one ormore of the processes may be realized as computer executable codecreated using a structured programming language such as C, an objectoriented programming language such as C++, or any other high-level orlow-level programming language (including assembly languages, hardwaredescription languages, and database programming languages andtechnologies) that may be stored, compiled or interpreted to run on oneof the above devices, as well as heterogeneous combinations ofprocessors, processor architectures, or combinations of differenthardware and software.

Thus, in one aspect, each method described above and combinationsthereof may be embodied in computer executable code that, when executingon one or more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In anotheraspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the stepsthereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, orall of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalonedevice or other hardware. In another aspect, means for performing thesteps associated with the processes described above may include any ofthe hardware and/or software described above. All such permutations andcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention isnot to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood inthe broadest sense allowable by law.

All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A method comprising: identifying, on a wireless device having a touchscreen, both a first control for an articulating adjustment that issupported by a controller of an articulating, adjustable bed and asecond control for a second system that is supported by the controllerof the articulating, adjustable bed, wherein the second system isselected from the group consisting of a lighting system, an airpurification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVDplayer, a lamp, and alarm clock, a music player, a telephone and a videosystem; presenting, on the touch screen, a first visual representationof the first control and a second visual representation of the secondcontrol, the first visual representation graphically depicting aphysical state of the articulating adjustment; receiving a user inputvia the touch screen for at least one of the first control and thesecond control; and in response to the user input, communicating asignal from the wireless device to the controller to change a state ofthe articulating, adjustable bed in accordance with the user input. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the second system is the lighting system.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second system is the airpurification system.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second systemis the telephone.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: presenting thefirst and second visual representations includes presenting a pluralityof functions for each of the first and second controls, the plurality offunctions including an increase function, a decrease function, and astore function.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the functions arepresented in a circular arrangement along with functions of othercontrols supported by the controller, and wherein the circulararrangement is divided into sections, each of which corresponds to acontrol supported by the controller.
 7. A computer program productembodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computerprogram product comprising computer code that, when run on a wirelessdevice having a touch screen, performs the following steps: identifyingboth a first control for an articulating adjustment that is supported bya controller of an articulating, adjustable bed and a second control fora second system that is supported by the controller of the articulating,adjustable bed, wherein the second system is selected from the groupconsisting of a lighting system, and air purification system, an audiosystem, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarmclock, a music player, a telephone and a video system; presenting, onthe touch screen, a first visual representation of the first control anda second visual representation of the second control, the first visualrepresentation graphically depicting a physical state of thearticulating adjustment; receiving a user input via the touch screen forat least one of the first control and the second control; and inresponse to the user input, communicating a signal from the wirelessdevice to the controller to change a state of the articulating,adjustable bed in accordance with the user input.
 8. The computerprogram product of claim 7, wherein the second system is the lightingsystem.
 9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the secondsystem is the air purification system.
 10. The computer program productof claim 7, wherein the second system is the telephone.
 11. The computerprogram product of claim 7, wherein: presenting the first and secondvisual representations includes presenting a plurality of functions ofreach of the first and second controls, the plurality of functionsincluding an increase function, a decrease function, and a storefunction.
 12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein thefunctions are presented in a circular arrangement along with functionsof controls supported by the controller, and wherein the circulararrangement is divided into sections, each of which corresponds to acontrol supported by the controller.
 13. A system, comprising: awireless device having: a touch screen; a first control for anarticulating adjustment that is supported by a controller of anarticulating, adjustable bed; and a second control for a second systemthat is supported by the controller of the articulating, adjustable bed,wherein the second system is selected from the group consisting of: alighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CDplayer, and MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a musicplayer, a telephone and a video system, and wherein the wireless deviceis adapted to perform the following steps: presenting, on the touchscreen, a first visual representation of the first control and a secondvisual representation of the second control, the first visualrepresentation graphically depicting a physical state of thearticulating adjustment; receiving a user input via the touch screen forat least one of the first control and the second control; and inresponse to the user input, communicating a signal from the wirelessdevice to the controller to change a state of the articulating,adjustable bed in accordance with the user input.
 14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the second system is the lighting system.
 15. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the second system is the air purificationsystem.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the second system is thetelephone.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein: presenting the first andsecond visual representations includes presenting a plurality offunctions for each of the first and second controls, the plurality offunctions including an increase function, a decrease function, and astore function.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein presenting theplurality of functions includes presenting the plurality of functions ina circular arrangement along with functions of other controls supportedby the controller, and wherein the circular arrangement is divided intosections, each of which corresponds to a control supported by thecontroller.